Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarSherlan Frost, foreground, and Christy Henson cast their vote on the referendum to increase the sales tax on restaurant food and beverages by 2 percent at city hall Tuesday.

City of Meridian voters overwhelmingly voted to support the 2 percent food and beverage tax in Tuesday’s special election.

The referendum asked citizens whether they supported a tax to support the proposed Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience, which is to be built on Front Street and 22nd Avenue. The referendum required 60 percent of those who voted for passage.

It is scheduled to open late next year.

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland was all smiles after learning the results.

“It’s a great day for Meridian. The voters made a statement for progress and to move this city forward into the future,” Bland said at city hall where the voting took place. “It was a very large turnout for a special election and we didn’t let negative ads and outside influences affect this race. We came together as one Meridian today and we need to to continue on that path. I think some other great things are going to happen in this city off this momentum.”

The city of Meridian has 19,255 registered voters. the referendum passed with 2,171 votes, or 68.2 percent. Opposition was 1,010. There were 621 absentee ballots that were counted.

“I voted yes because I believe that the referendum would bring in a lot of money for our city and a lot more job opportunities and it would also help build the Arts Center and pay the city back,” said Letitia Johnson a retired English teacher. “All in all,  it’s a good thing. A lot of people have misinterpreted the tax. It’s going to help us more than hurt us. It’s not a permanent tax.”

Jim Buckley also supported the tax.

“I think it is something that Meridian needs to support,” Buckley said of the MAEE. I’ll be going to it and so will my grandchildren.”

Ray Komar said he thought the city should expand the tax.

“I think it’s a good thing for the city. I hope the city would consider putting in a hotel tax as well,” Komar said. “It just makes sense.”

Talisa Willis did not support the referendum.

“I voted against it because we don’t need any tax increase,” Willis said. “We already pay enough.”

The estimated total construction budget, including building costs and exhibits, is just more than $44 million. To pay for the overall project, more than $43 million in public and private funds has been pledged to the project, including $29 million from the state legislature. $4 million of which was awarded by the state in 2009 and was spent on development.