Officials In Charleston And New Albany Report Tourism Tax Is A Valuable Asset
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DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
Voters in Water Valley will go to the polls on March 8 to vote on the proposed two percent tourism tax on prepared food in the city. During the last week I talked to Charleston Mayor Sedrick Smith and Mississippi Representative Sam Creekmore, IV, to learn how similar taxes have benefited their communities. Creekmore’s district encompasses Union County and specifically New Albany.
The tourism tax was adopted in New Albany in 1997, and Creekmore shared a lengthy list of projects funded by the revenue stream. A 30 year-old sports complex was revitalized with proceeds from the tax. A new tennis park was constructed approximately eight years ago.
Creekmore explained that a portion of the revenue flows to the New Albany Sustainability Advisory (NASA). NASA’s mission is to ensure a sustainable, healthy and prosperous community for current and future generations.
“The committee picks projects and makes them happen,” Creekmore explained, citing examples including a veteran’s park, welcome area, the Tanglefoot Trail Plaza and others.
Creekmore added that the challenge for New Albany is not to be like Tupelo or Oxford, and the revenue has helped the city to forge its own identify through beautification.
Money is also invested to enhance the walkability of New Albany. He also noted the revenue can be used for simple projects such as paying someone to pick up litter and pull weeds.
“The way things look is so important,” Creekmore stressed. “After the people see the results, they will be happy with this,” he added.
In Charleston, Mayor Smith said the revenue stream is still relatively new for his city, starting in May, 2020. But Smith said it has provided funds for his city to invest in projects without raising the millage rate, which often isn’t an option for small town. The proceeds have been used to leverage a grant for work in the city, and Smith said work is underway on a new recreational center.
“I had constituents come back after the tax was adopted and ask why the percentage wasn’t more,” Smith told me. “This is a very important tool in a tool kit for the city.”
The needs in Charleston and New Albany are different, but the takeaway from both officials is that the tourism tax revenue can have a huge impact on many aspects of a city.
