a. The FRTMD assessment is authorized by the California Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994 (Streets and Highway Code §36600 et. seq.)

b. This law allows for the creation of a benefit assessment district to raise funds within a specific geographic area that provide a stable, long-term source of funding for tourism promotion.  In addition:

c. The specific assessment plan for FRTMD was petitioned for by over 64% of the area lodging providers and was subsequently approved October 13, 2020 by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.

a. FRTA serves as the owner’s association of the FRTMD. FRTA board of directors is comprised of a majority of representatives of assessed lodging businesses within FRTMD.

b. The management plan of the FRTMD and the by-laws of FRTA can be found at www.featherrivertourism.com/resources.

a. Lake Almanor/Chester, Indian Valley, Feather River Canyon, Quincy, Bucks Lake

a. The term “lodging provider” includes hotels, motels, vacation rentals, RV parks and private campgrounds. 

b. Any business that is now subject to TOT is subject to the assessment, with the same compliance requirement.

a. The assessment is effective for lodging nights sold beginning on January 1, 2021 and continuing through December 31, 2026

a. Yes. That is in fact what most lodging providers do.

b. The lodging provider is required to list it as a separate line item in a lodging quote or invoice with an appropriate title, such as “FRTMD Assessment”.

a. Items that are not subject to the local TOT are also not subject to the 2% FRTMD assessment.

b. In other words, the same exemptions that are allowed when calculating the 9% TOT are allowed in considering the 2% FRTMD assessment.

c. Accordingly, the monthly report form utilizes the same calculation for the net room revenues/receipts, which is net of the exemptions allowed County of Plumas.

a. Lodging providers that have binding group room night contracts that were executed prior to January 2021 do not need to apply the 2% tourism FRTMD assessment to the room nights under these contracts, unless the contract allows it.

b. Likewise, lodging providers that have guaranteed and/or prepaid transient room reservations that were made prior to January 2021 do not have to apply the 2% assessment to the room nights under these reservations.

c. A special box for exclusions has been added to the quarterly report form to record these amounts.

a.  The assessment is applied at 2% of the value of the lodging nights sold, on lodging stays of 30 days or under.

c.  Yes, if it is included in the charges noted in the bill for the room night or included within the quoted room night rate.

a. The guest can be pursued for this charge in the same way as any other legal lodging charge.

b. The 2% FRTMD assessment is owed by the Lodging Provider even if the provider fails to collect directly from the guest.

c. The lodging provider may alternatively choose to itself cover the cost of the assessment and not charge the guest.

a. No, the fees are part of the charges that the provider should indicate are to be included in any booked stay.

b. It is the provider’s responsibility to notify any entities that handle reservations to include this assessment unless the provider does not plan to pass on the cost to the guests.

a. The funds are collected by the County of Plumas and are transferred, at the end of the quarterly reporting period, to the Feather River Tourism Association, the non-profit designated to manage the funds.

2.  How will the funds that are generated by the 2% Tourism assessment be spent?

a.  Funds will be used to market the Feather River region by engaging in public relations, advertising, website operations, social media and other significant marketing programs. The purpose of these activities is to bring targeted visitors into the Feather River tourism region increasing occupancy and visitation beyond the summer season.

a. The lodging providers of Eastern Plumas County declined to take part in forming the district.

b. The district was formed without their participation; however, individual lodging providers of Eastern Plumas County may apply to be involved via an individual contract with FRTMD,

c. At the 5-year renewal mark, Eastern Plumas County lodging providers will have the option of being included.

a. Plumas County performs the administrative duties to collect and transfer the FRTMD funds as required by the district management agreement.

b. FRTA will also present an annual report of FRTMD operations to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors at the end of each fiscal year.

a. The FRTMD has been approved for an initial five-year period.

b. After the five-year period, the Feather River Tourism Marketing District can be reconsidered by petition of the lodging providers to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.

a. FRTA website, featherrivertourism.com, has resources for providers and information on upcoming meetings and minutes (all are welcome to attend). In addition, a quarterly newsletter will be sent with updates on marketing activities and opportunities.

b. For legal or regulatory questions about FRTMD or implementation of the charges:

c. For question directly to FRTMD and/or FRTA: