January 28, 2003

Port Arthur City Council
by Carl Guidry

Port Arthur Finance Director Rebecca Underhill told the Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday that there has been an increase in hotel occupancy tax revenues.

Reporting on November 2002, Underhill credited an increase in hotel facilities that are reporting "generally full occupancy," for a seven percent increase.  She reported also a significant increase in municipal court fines since the city has contracted with a collection agency.

The city council voted to designate Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas as the official concessionaire for the 2003 celebration.  The city council also voted to give City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons authority to cancel the Mardi Gras, if necessary for homeland security purposes.

The city council voted 4-3, with Mayor Oscar Ortiz, Michael Shane Sinegal and Felix Barker opposed, to increase the city's contribution to the Business Opportunity Symposium Series in June.  

Ortiz noted that the city council has previously designated $50,000 for the conference.  

All other agenda items were approved.

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