Video: Houston Votes On Tourism Tax

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HOUSTON, Miss. (WCBI)- The city of Houston is one day away from voting on a Tourism Tax.

The Chickasaw County town could join other cities, such as Tupelo and West Point who have already this tax implemented.
Houston voters will go to the polls Tuesday and decide the fate of a Tourism Tax in the city.
“It’ll determine some of our budget which will be coming up of what we determine what we have to do as far as finishing the rest of what we have to do in the city,” Mayor Stacey Parker said.

The tax would be a one percent increase on spending at hotels, motels, and restaurants.
“Everybody relates it to Tupelo’s. When I go there, if I stay there a long period of time, I may sit down and get me a bite to eat, so what am I doing? I’m contributing to their funding source for Parks and Recreation and tourism,” Parker said.

If approved, the money will go to Park and Rec projects, tourism, and the completion of a popular biking trail.

City leaders are hopeful the new money can attract more people to the Chickasaw County town.
“In our town, we have been fortunate enough to be able to be the gateway to the TangleFoot Trail,” City Clerk Margaret Futral said.

Mayor Stacey Parker said he respects everyone’s vote.

However, he makes they make their decision based on factual information.

“Our deal is to give the facts and that’s what we’ve tried to do, as individuals to state the facts and then you do your judgments and votes based off of those facts,” he said.
Voting will take place at city hall tomorrow from seven a.m. until seven p.m.