Rep. David Myers, D-McComb, told McComb officials Tuesday that he will support a proposed 1 percent food and beverage tax in the city — especially if it goes to a large and unidentifed “recreation project” he is planning.
Mayor Whitney Rawlings, noticing Myers in the audience at Tuesday’s city board meeting, asked the lawmaker if he wanted to make a statement.
Myers said he wanted to encourage more economic development along the Highway 98 corridor, where a sprawling development called McComb Crossing is taking shape.
“Y’all should stay very close to the guys with B&B Theaters. When that theater comes I think we will see an explosion of commerce in that area of Presley Boulevard and south McComb,” Myers said, referring to one of the businesses expected to eventually open as the property is developed.
Myers said he is in favor of a food and beverage tax but then stripped his approval from some of the things for which the city is considering the extra tax.
“I’m for a food and beverage tax. However, I’m not for taxing happy meals, Burger King or tacos,” he said, calling that a burden to citizens.
Myers said the tax should only apply to restaurants that sell alcohol as well as food.
In speaking with other lawmakers, Myers said he has been able to come up with revenue estimates if the food and beverage tax only applied to those types of establishments.
“We came up with between $100,000 and $300,000 in revenue on such a food and beverage tax,” he said. “I suggest that the city ramp up recruitment of businesses that sell food and alcohol — like a Dave & Buster’s — places that would be a good fit in south McComb.”
City officials have said that if the tax goes through it will devote the revenue to fund the recreation department, whose share of the general fund would then go to other city needs, such as street repair.
The city board would have to support the extra tax, as would the Legislature before it would be put to residents in the form of a referendum needing a three-fifths majority.
Myers, without giving specifics about his proposed recreation project, said he would like the proceeds to go to it instead.
“I would like to propose a tax that will go toward a recreation project,” he said, estimating his unnamed proposal is worth about $2 million.
Turning to other legislative matters, Myers said he’s looking forward to his sixth term in the House.
“I feel confident about this year’s upcoming session,” he said. “I’m going back to the Ways and Means Committee and believe I will get something done for the city of McComb. This is a project that you can be proud of.”
Myers also recognized Selectwoman Tammy Witherspoon, who was recently elected to the state Senate and tendered her resignation from the city board on Tuesday.
“I see my future colleague here tonight,” Myers said, pointing to Witherspoon. “I look forward to working with her come January. I know we are going to do some good things for our people here at home.”
Witherspoon’s resignation will be officially recognized in the next board meeting.
The city will announce the vacancy at the first city board meeting in January and will then have 10 days to set a date for special election.
“It has truly been an honor to serve the city of McComb, its citizens and especially the citizens of Ward 3,” Witherspoon said. “And I would like to thank the citizens of Ward 3 for electing me and letting me serve for five years. I want them to know that they arent losing a selectwoman, but gaining a senator who will continue to be a voice for the citizens of McComb and the people of District 38.”
Witherspoon said she sees a lot of good things happening in McComb in the near future.
“I encourage them to continue the good work that the mayor and selectman are doing for the city,” she said. “I am very excited about what Myers is proposing and I think it would be good for the citizens of McComb. I look forward to working with him on that project.”
