Two Percent Restaurant Tax One Step Closer To Being Reinstated

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Diners in Columbus may soon be spending a little more for their meals.

A new version of the 2% restaurant tax has gotten the governor’s signature.

“It’s a win-win for everybody, it’s the community and the restaurants,” said District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks.

“It’s exciting to know that our 2% restaurant tax is going to be reinstated, and all of the wonderful things that have happened for the citizens and for visitors to Columbus will be back in play,” said Nancy Carpenter, CEO of Visit Columbus.

City and county leaders said they’re thrilled to begin collecting taxes again because of the economic impact it could have on the area.

With the money that’ll be collected, the city of Columbus would receive $400,000 for Parks and Rec, along with tourism, entertainment and special events.

Lowdnes County would receive $300,000 and a quarter million would go to the Golden Triangle Development Link.

The rest of the money raised would go to the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Our plans from the city standpoint is to do a GO (General Obligation) Bond, and with the GO bond, we can do the first phase of Propst Park and also complete the second phase of the amphitheater,” said Columbus Mayor Robert Smith.

“That money is used in a way that brings more people back to the city and county whether it’s through fishing tournaments, festivals, or a host of ideas,” said Brooks.

Despite getting approval from state lawmakers and the governor’s signature, one thing that could potentially block the tax is a citizens referendum.

“If anyone is opposed to the tax being implemented, a petition with two thousand signatures will have to be signed forcing it to be voted on,” Brooks explained.

However, community leaders said they’re hopeful everything will come to fruition.

“I’m thrilled to put everything to bed as far as the controversy over are we going to have the restaurant tax again, so it is going to be reinstated and we’re very very grateful,” Carpenter expressed.

The legislation only affects restaurants with sales of over $100,000 a year.

If there’s no referendum, the restaurant tax will go into effect in March.