Date set, plans approved for restaurant tax vote

By Randy Bell

Brighton Park playground upgrades completed last year were one of many parks and recreation projects funded by the 2% restaurant tax, which will come back up for a vote on June 9.

The two per cent restaurant tax that’s generated money for a pickleball complex, a playground and other parks and recreation improvements in Clinton will be up for reauthorization on June 9 after the Board of Aldermen officially set the date for the referendum and made arrangements for vendors to help the City with the special election. The cost of the referendum is being minimized by using only one polling place, at Traceway Park.

Voters approved the tax in 2022, and it’s brought in $4.3 million in its first three years. For the tax to continue, it must be re-approved every four years. The Mississippi Legislature extended the repeal date of the law, which authorized the tax, but voters will make the final decision. The tax will need sixty per cent approval to pass. In the first election, better than sixty-six per cent of the voters were in favor of the tax.

“We plan to certainly show the citizens what this fund has provided for them and what we have planned in the near future should they reauthorize it,” says Mayor Will Purdie.

The City plans a strong social media campaign during May to generate interest in the election.

The pickleball complex at Towne Park and the all-inclusive playground at Brighton Park are the two per cent tax-funded projects which may have gotten the most attention, but the revenue has also allowed restrooms to be replaced at Baseball Field 10 at Traceway Park, along with the construction of new restrooms between Softball Fields 5 and 6 at Traceway.

Additionally, a new concession stand is being built at the park’s Softball 4-Plex, paid for with restaurant tax money.

The City is also looking ahead to future improvements.

“We’ve got another playground that is in need of an upgrade at Traceway,” says Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Nunn. “And then we’ve got, potentially, some fitness areas that may get some upgrades, as well as some shade structures out at Traceway. So, a little bit of everything.”