Special Tax on RV Camps

Last year SB 1984, which authorized counties and cities to impose a Transient Occupancy Tax or bed tax on privately operated campgrounds and RV parks, was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor.

The privately operated campground and RV park industry is unique in that our major sources of competition come from county parks, state parks, federal parks and even fairgrounds. Every one of these competitors is exempted from collecting this tax from their customers. “Why?” we ask.

This tax goes to local government’s General Fund to cover the cost of road maintenance as well as police and fire departments with perhaps some amounts going to tourism promotions.

We ask, “Don’t the customers who stay at county, state, and federal parks or fairgrounds use the same roads and the same police and fire departments as those who stay at privately owned facilities?”

Are we opposed to collecting the tax from our customers? You’re certainly right we are, under the current laws that are grossly unfair and discriminatory.

Would we be opposed to collecting the tax from our customers if the playing field were level and all RVers and campers paid--whether they use public or private parks? Not at all.

NANCY HUBBARD

Ventura

Hubbard is the owner of the Ventura Beach RV Resort.