Mayor Bakers Tax Increase
The skepticism is understandable: If you ask people to pay an extra penny for every dollar they spend, they're going to want to know where the extra money goes.
In this case the money will be benefit the city of Hattiesburg along with its residents and tourists.
For example, ever go to a nice part of town and wish there was a sidewalk to ride your bike or maybe just to take an afternoon stroll? Well, Mayor Baker plans to satisfy those wishes and making improvements to the city.
The new tax raise only applies to hotel/motels and restaurants, and not property taxes. The proposed sales tax would increase by one percent if passed. Hattiesburg residents will vote on proposed tax on April 23rd. Mayor Toby Barker calls the tax an investment in the city.
This investment will bring the tax to 10 percent and will go towards parks, and putting sidewalks around the city. Half of the money will go towards making improvements to Reed Green Coliseum at USM. The other half would be used for projects across the city. Any additional funds raised through the new tax would be used towards tourism upgrades like new paths, bike trails and other issues citizens request that deal with tourism. The state legislature no longer supports local-option sales tax for things other than for tourism and parks and recreation, which is why the city is restricted in its use.
Most residents support mayor Bakers decision for the one percent tax increase. Hattiesburg resident Ellen Hall said, “I do support it.” She added, “I mean the roads need work every time I’m driving there is a new pot hole that needs to be filled so if a little extra is all it takes to make that happen I’m all in.”
University of Southern Miss students also seem to support the tax. “I am that person who donates to everything anyways- it isn’t even a lot. I’m okay with it,” says USM student Alyssa Ragas.
The city’s tax increase is because the 2 percent restaurant tax is already making a huge impact on quality of life in the city and bringing more visitors to the area. Hattiesburg Zoo had 100,000 more visitors in 2018 than the Jackson Zoo. Which is a major improvement to the city and Zoo because it was getting hard to get visitors out there for a while. In all it has been a great investment for the tourism rate according to Baker.
Mayor Toby Barker said the increase on restaurants would raise about $2 million a year, while the hike on hotels and motels would generate a few hundred thousand dollars.
In addition the money will also supports other city-owned venues like the Saenger Theater, African American Military History Museum, and the Eureka Freedom Summer and Oseola McCarty museums, are being worked on. The tax fund raises the city's tourism and marketing organization, which works to promote the Hub City and bring in more people to visit.
Mayor Baker wants the public to know he is listening to their suggestions and wants to make a difference in Hattiesburg. The better the improvements are the more people will migrate to the area and the area will get more business.
Some of these city improvements include:
A Miracle League inclusion ball field for children with special needs
Lighting and drainage improvements to the Ninth Street ballpark
Drainage improvements to the soccer fields at Tatum Park
Expansion of the walking path at Duncan Lake
Tennis facility improvements at Tatum Park
Light installation at Friendship Park in East Jerusalem
A new girls' softball field at Hattiesburg High School
An amphitheater at Chain Park
Refinishing the gym floor at Thames Elementary for use as an indoor recreation facility during non-school hours
A splash pad at Sullivan Park in Palmers Crossing
Tennis court installation on East Eighth Street
Property acquisition for a park in the Midtown district
Playground equipment upgrades at Kamper Park
A splash pad at Timberton Park
Renovations to the former Hattiesburg American building for use as a community art center
Conversion of dilapidated and abandoned properties into public green spaces, pocket parks and community gardens
An additional blue way public access point on the Leaf River
The projects areas will be focused on:
S 40th Avenue
Westover Dr
E 7th Street
Quinn Street
Edwards Street
N 31st Avenue
S 17th Avenue
It appears that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Hattiesburg, and it will look more welcoming in all. Hattiesburg has many sites to see and a lot of locations to visit while tourist come to the city. Hattiesburg is known for its artsy statues and the down town area where there is a lot to look at. Town square park is visited so often that improvements will include making other parks around town just as nice to widen the residents to more areas.
The support is crucial from residents. With all the changes that have already been made for the better Baker has gotten a taste of how much more he can truly change to make the city much more beautiful. The roads will be smoother and businesses will grow for the better. Let’s all work together as a community and make Hattiesburg the most visited city in Mississippi.
