So before we all vote on Monday on the proposed 3 percent tax on hotels and restaurants in Columbia, I want to inform everyone on what exactly the tax it entails, what the city plans to do and dismiss all the fake rumors.
One of the biggest misconceptions I’ve seen floated around with people who oppose the tax is that they plan to go outside Marion County to dine to avoid the tax. First off, the tax does not apply to the entire county; it only affects restaurants and hotels within the city limits. You will still be able to eat at places outside the city limits but inside Marion County and not pay the tax. It doesn’t apply to grocery stores either.
If you plan on going to Hattiesburg to avoid the tax, you really might want to reconsider. Not only did Hattiesburg already have a similar tax in place, it just increased from 2 percent to 3 percent last month. And basically every city in the surrounding area already has a tax in place or is getting ready to vote on one, just like Columbia.
The next aspect to address is the plan for the Columbia School District to construct a new football stadium. I’ve heard people talking about it in the community and seen the complaints on social media about how all the funding goes to the city schools while the county schools get left behind. But the city would not in any way, shape or form be supplying any of the funds for the project. The school district will be responsible for 100 percent of the funds needed, and it has applied for a grant through the NFL to accomplish it.
While we’re on the subject of sports, obviously the sportsplex is the big-ticket item in play with the tax. For those of you who don’t have children or family that play, there really is no limit to how much money a legitimate sports complex can be worth.
Every summer I travel to baseball and softball tournaments that are hosted in the same places: Lincoln County, Lawrence County, Brookhaven, Mendenhall, Tatum Park in Hattiesburg and Magee. These tournaments are hosting up to 40 teams at a time, which right now simply isn’t feasible in Columbia. The facilities here are too old and outdated, and there aren’t enough fields to host even a mid-sized tournament.
But when all of these teams are coming to town and have to play multiple games in a day with several hours in between, what do you think they are doing? They are going to eat at the restaurants in town, seeing a movie at a local theater to kill time and whatever else is available. And some of these tournaments are four to five days long, and a lot of parents choose to stay at a hotel rather than drive every single day.
The old saying from “Field of Dreams” is very true: “If you build it, they will come.”
If you’ve seen the plans currently circulating, it’s not just about ball fields. There is also a massive walking trail that will likely be constructed that will offer people the opportunity to exercise while enjoying a nice view.
Then there are plans for multi-purpose/soccer fields at the sportsplex. Anybody that has gone to a game or practice for the Rotary Soccer Club can attest that while the club does a great job with it, their options for fields are zilch. They have to play on the outfields at the Columbia Water Park, which is a hassle. This would eliminate that.
For those of you who still don’t care about those plans, the city plans to use some of the funds to improve on events, such as the downtown Christmas celebration that drew thousands to Columbia for several weeks.
I get the backlash against any type of tax. The vast majority of people in Columbia, including myself, are already spread paper-thin financially. But all we’re really talking about is 3 cents on a dollar. Say you’re spending $50 on a meal for your family, this is only going to cost you $1.50. In the long run, that’s nothing compared to what can be done to improve the city.
Reach Sports Editor Joshua Campbell at (601) 736-2611.
