Some local legislators still cold on 1-percent tax
Some local legislators in Jackson still say they are reticent to support a 1-percent restaurant sales tax for Columbus, leaving city officials wondering how to fund maintenance and operations at the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater on The Island.
Restaurant tax returns March 1
Restaurants in Columbus will begin collecting a 2-percent restaurant sales tax on March 1.
Petition push: Local Libertarians rallying support for restaurant tax referendum
As a first- and second-grade teacher, Frieda Hallman doesn’t have much time to cook. She eats out pretty much every day, a habit that she believes could cost her more than she’s willing to pay when the 2-percent restaurant sales tax takes effect March 1.
Street work no longer part of 1-percent tax request
If legislators approve a special 1-percent restaurant sales tax for Columbus, the city will only use it for maintaining and operating the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater at The Island.
Restaurant tax set to return on March 1
Helen Karriem will have another bookkeeping task starting March 1 — one her son helped create for her.
Still, she’s not fretting about it. Besides, she’s known for a while this was probably coming.
CVB approves agreement funding festivals
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau has formally agreed to fund seven local festivals this year, pending the renewal of a 2-percent restaurant sales tax.
New 2-percent tax has support of local delegation
A pre-filed bill in the Mississippi Legislature to revive the 2-percent restaurant tax in Columbus includes a little something for everybody — and significantly less funding for one entity, in particular.
City asks for additional 1-percent tax to fund infrastructure, operate amphitheater
If Columbus officials have their way, the city’s restaurant sales tax will jump to 3 percent over the next 10 years.
Starkville reps voice support for restaurant tax increase request
State representatives last week affirmed their support of Starkville’s planned request to the Legislature for a 1-percent increase in food and beverage taxes when the next legislative session begins in January.
Restaurant tax: City, county on same page with restaurant tax
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and Columbus City Council passed matching resolutions during special meetings Wednesday for a new restaurant sales tax proposal on the eve of a special session of the Mississippi Legislature.
New restaurant tax agreement hits several snags
The odds of getting a new restaurant sales tax in Columbus in place by the end of the year appear to have gotten longer as a dispute between the city and county over a separate issue continues.
CVB hopes possible special session will include restaurant tax
The fate of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau beyond the end of the year may depend on whether Gov. Phil Bryant calls a special session of the Legislature.
CVB cuts staff to stay afloat without tax
The chickens are coming home to roost.
Restaurant tax: Some restaurants still collecting expired sales tax
John and Ana were enjoying their Independence Day breakfast at McDonald’s on Highway 45 in Columbus when they were alerted to the fact that they may have been overcharged for their meal.
Restaurant tax: Juneteenth, Southside Blues festivals canceled over tax uncertainty
Even as the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau still works on a revised budget to stay in operation through the end of the year, organizers for two of the nine festivals the CVB helps fund have announced they will cancel this year’s event.
Supervisors agree to tax compromise
As late as Saturday, Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders said he intended to urge fellow supervisors during Monday’s meeting to stick with their February resolution calling for the floor to be removed from the county’s 2-percent restaurant sales tax.
Restaurant tax: Smith, Younger agree on reducing restaurant tax floor
Monday, in its first meeting since the 2-percent county wide restaurant sales tax that funds the Columbus Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau died in the Legislature, the CVB board elicited a compromise from local legislators the board hopes will revive the tax and ensure the future of the bureau and the projects it supports.
Our View: Restaurant tax compromise may save CVB funding but exposes serious flaw in Smith’s reasoning
Near the end of Monday’s Columbus-Lowndes Convention & Visitors board meeting, Harry Sanders posed a question to Rep. Jeff Smith.
Restaurant tax: Conflicting ideas fuel efforts to revive restaurant tax
Several issues still need addressing if the city or county hope to see a 2-percent restaurant sales tax restored after it expires June 30.
Southaven’s story: A year without a restaurant tax
Barring some sort of miracle in a yet-to-be-called special session of the Mississippi Legislature, Lowndes County will lose its 2-percent restaurant sales tax and, with it, quite possibly the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau that relies almost exclusively on those funds.