Youngsville Tax Vote - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

Youngsville is one step closer to a new tax to help support the city's new multi-purpose community center. The city council approved Thursday supporting legislation that would allow the city to levy a hotel occupancy tax.

Mayor Wilson Viator explained the resolution for the proposed tax. He says the city must have legislative approval to levy it. "If this passes the legislature, than we could at any time go to the voters and ask the voters to levy up to percent sales tax on hotel occupancy."

The mayor expressed his lack of worry about conflicting with the parish's hotel tax. Mayor Viator says figuring out what the parish gets in a hotel tax and what Youngsville gets - is the business owners responsibility. "He's operating a business not us, but he will have to pay 2% to Youngsville," Viator.

Councilman Ken Ritter supports asking voters for the tax. He believes the money will help fill budget gaps that other funding sources may leave behind. "I think it makes perfect sense. We're looking at new funding sources for our community center since we know that our funds will be limited depending on what happens from the state."

The council also agreed to enter into a new recycling contract agreement. The city manager said the price is much lower than the previous one. He explained that Progressive gave a lower price than before at 1.85 per household.

Rene Allen