Residents of Jackson will head to the polls Tuesday, to decide if a one percent sales tax will be an efficient way to raise money to fix the city's infrastructure. MPB's Paul Boger reports the proposed tax is seeing widespread support.
On this busy stretch of Meadowbrook Road in Jackson, drivers are forced to slow down dramatically to avoid potholes that line both sides of the street. This is not an uncommon sight in the Capitol City.
That's why city officials are proposing a one percent sales tax dedicated to fixing the cities crumbling roads, one hundred year old water pipes and outdated sewer system.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba believes the tax is the best way to address Jackson's infrastructure woes.
"It gives us some revenues that we can use to kick-start our revitalization of the infrastructure." said Lumumba. "Like we said during the election campaign the infrastructure is our new economic frontier."
Before any revenues can be collected, Jackson voters must approve the tax with a 60 percent super-majority during a special election tomorrow.
Charles Fletcher has been a Jackson resident since 1951. He's in favor of the tax.
"I have no problem with the sales tax." said Fletcher. "I think the things that they plan to do need to be done, and if the sales tax increase will accomplish that then I think it worth the investment."
While a vast majority of residents in the Capitol City seem favor of the sales tax increase, some still have questions like Jonathon Larkin.
"We're lacking in the kind of general amount of information that needs to be presented to the city of Jackson about what will be taxed, what won't be taxed, about where the money is being dedicated to make sure spent only for water, sewer and other infrastructure repairs that are so desperately needed with the city."
City leaders say the tax would eventually amount to a 700 million dollar investment in the city’s infrastructure over the next twenty years.
