Not all
businesses paying
tourism tax

By NICOLE CARTRETTE

The Columbus County Tourism Bureau has requested an investigation into recreational vehicles located at the crossroads of Peacock and Walter Todd roads.

County Tourism Director Jennifer Long states in a letter drafted to the county planning department that she was told “through an unofficial source” the recreational vehicles are being rented out to workers involved in the prison construction project.

Long explains in the letter that if the allegation is true, the park is subject to a three -percent room occupancy tax. The tax applies to all rentals except accommodations furnished and applied to the same person for 90 or more continuous days.

The tax became effective Nov. 1, 1995 and is levied upon the rental of any room, lodging or accommodation furnished by any hotel, motel, inn, campground, or similar place within the county and is to be used for the promotion of tourism and travel within Columbus County.

The tax administrator, Richard Gore, is responsible for collecting occupancy taxes and when notified of an individual or business that is subject to the tax sends a letter. The form explains that business operators subject to the tax are to collect the tax from renters or customers.

“The tax shall be added to the sales price and shall be passed on to the purchaser, and not be borne by the operator, owner, or rental agent,” the letter points out. The tax is due and payable to Columbus County on the 15th day of the month following the month the tax is accrued.

County Planner Stevie Cox said he has not yet looked into the matter. If the park is, in fact, a campground or RV park by definition, it may be subject to the Columbus County Resort Vehicle/Campground Ordinance updated in November 2001.

The Board of County Commissioners or its designate must approve campground construction or expansion. A campground is defined as any lot with 15 or more camper or tent spaces provided for temporary occupancy. “A campground shall also be known as a recreational vehicle park or travel trailer park,” the ordinance reads.

No more than one camper may be parked on any one space. Campers are not permitted on parcels, lots, or spaces other than those approved through the ordinance regulations. Violations of the ordinance can result in Class III misdemeanor charges and fines up to $500 per violation per day. Civil penalties include a warning citation giving operators 10 days to correct any violations and fines of $25 or $50 for same offense violations.