Video: Winona Considers Implementing Tourism Tax

[syndicaster id=’5952501′]

WINONA, Miss. (WCBI) – The board of aldermen in Winona are considering implementing a tourism tax.
The 2% tax would effect all prepared food in the city limits.

Winona is hoping to improve the city and attract more visitors to the area.

If the proposed 2% tax is passed, 100% of the revenue generated will go back
into the city.

Mayor Jerry Flowers says the rate is low enough to not hurt residents but bring in
big money in the long run.

“If you go and spend $100 eating out, it’ll cost you $2 in tax so it’s not
substantial, but it will help the local economy, it’ll help us to help our
parks and recreation, our tourism,” said Mayor Flowers.

Research the city has studied shows one restaurant can generate around
$85,000 dollars in one year from the tourism tax.

Mayor Flowers says the money would not only help the city but also keep them
from having to raise taxes for residents.

“In running a town like this or any other town, it just costs a lot of
money and it keeps going up and we don’t want to raise taxes. We want to
keep it like it is but it’s just very difficult,” added Mayor Flowers.

Donna Pearson owns “The Tracks”, a downtown Winona restaurant.

She says she is in favor of the tourism tax since the money will fund worthy
projects.

“That’s amazing, that’s what we need. We need to generate any kind of
income that we can. We’re centrally located. We’re halfway between Memphis
and Jackson and halfway between Alabama and Arkansas. We’re the ideal spot.
We really need to boost our tourism and that’s certainly going to help,” said Pearson.

There is a lengthy process to get the tax approved, including winning 60% of
the voters approval.

Mayor Flowers says the tax issue will go to the state legislature in
January for approval. Then it will be voted on by the council before
residents actually cast their vote.

Categories: Local News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *