Mississippi city voters OK hotel tax raise for tourism funds

CLINTON, Miss. – A 1 per cent sales tax increase on hotels has been approved by voters in a Mississippi city.

WAPT-TV reports that Clinton residents voted Tuesday to raise the 2 per cent sales tax on hotels. Clinton officials say the increase will fund advertising promoting tourism in the city. Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher says the tax will not be added to restaurants.

City Communications Director Mark Jones says that out of 541 total votes, 486 were in favour of the increase and 55 were against it. He says Clinton’s marketing budget is roughly $200,000, while other cities in the Jackson metro area have as much as $2 million.

The mayor says residents will make another vote on the hotel sales tax in five years.

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Information from: WAPT-TV, http://www.wapt.com