The two percent tourism tax bill, that would allow the Town of North Carrollton to hold a referendum vote to enact a two percent tourism tax on prepared food and beverage sold in the town limits, did not get legislative approval during the recent session of the Mississippi Legislature.
Last Tuesday, at the regularly-scheduled meeting of the North Carrollton Mayor and Board of Alderman, Senator Lydia Chassaniol (R-Winona) and Alderman Ken Strachan informed the board that the two percent tourism local and private bill the board voted on in January to send to the legislature will not be heading to Governor Bryant’s desk for signature.
According to Chassaniol, the bill passed the Mississippi Senate 49-2, and the first Mississippi House of Representatives vote was 91-12 in favor of the bill. After, the bill went to House Conference Committee and then back to the House for a second vote which was 98-11 in favor.
However, according to Chassaniol, a $200,000 waste water amendment for Panola County was added to the local and private bill before the deadline, and this amendment caused the bill to die for this legislative session.
Strachan and Chassaniol told the board that the bill will be resurrected for the 2019 Legislative session.
“It shows when both the senate and house vote this overwhelming for a bill by both Democrats and Republicans, it is a positive step to improve our town,” Strachan said. “There is no doubt if this amendment from Panola County had not gotten attached in the House, we would be setting an election for our citizens to vote on the tourism bill.”
Strachan told the board he wrote a letter to House Speaker Phillip Gunn for his support last month, and Speaker Gunn voted for the bill in the House.
Strachan also praised Chassaniol for her work on the bill.
“We could not have asked for better representation than what Senator Chassaniol has given us to help our community,” Strachan said. “She understands the importance of tourism in our area, it is very much appreciated. And I appreciate Speaker Gunn supporting our bill in the House.”
Strachan told board members that the legislature will meet again in nine months, and when North Carrollton takes the tourism bill back in January with success, the town can plan a special election in the summer of 2019. In addition, the election can be held at the same time as county and legislative elections will be held, and there will be a larger turnout.
“North Carrollton deserves the same chance to vote on the tourism resolution as other towns have had and are getting the opportunity,” said Strachan.
In other board news, Interim Fire Chief Andy Vining appeared before the board with the monthly activity report on the Carrollton North Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department and requested that he be named CNCVFD permanent chief.
Vining was approved by the North Carrollton Board on a motion by Alderman Carpenter and second by Alderman Strachan and was unanimous.
