The renewal of McComb’s hotel/motel tax is one signature away from becoming law.
The Mississippi House of Representatives voted 103-13 in favor of Senate Bill 2956 to reinstate a 3 percent tax on hotel rooms in McComb.
The funds would be designated for tourism and recreation or the promotion of those activities.
The bill, authored by Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-McComb, cleared the state Senate unanimously on March 7.
The tax is set to repeal July 1, but if Gov. Phil Bryant signs the bill, the tax will continue with no break.
No referendum will be required for the tax to continue to take effect.
Since the tax was implemented, it has brought in approximately $584,708 to McComb.
During the last three years, the funds have been dedicated to the renovations at the McComb Sports Park in east McComb.
Selectmen and recreation director Joseph Parker have discussed using the funding for the next three years to rehabilitate the parks around McComb, but no decision has been made.
If passed, the tax would expire July 1, 2017.
All of the area’s legislative delegation voted for the measure.
“The tax has been beneficial for the city for several years,” Rep. Sam Mims, R-McComb, said after Thursday’s vote. “The entire delegation of southwest Mississippi supported this to continue the efforts by the city officials.”
