Lauderdale County supervisors are asking the state Legislature to let them increase a special tax on hotel room bookings as they await a report on the feasibility of building a large sportsplex in the area.

 

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to pass a resolution asking the legislature to readopt legislation creating the Lauderdale County Tourism Commission. The county currently has a 2.5% tax on hotel stays which funds the tourism commission and its efforts to bring people to the region. The tax applies only to hotel rooms in Lauderdale County and is not charged for other purchases or reservations.

 

Board Attorney Lee Thaggard said the county is asking to raise the hotel tax from 2.5% to 3% and remove a salary cap currently in place for the executive director position. With such resolutions, he said, the vote needs to be unanimous for the state Legislature to seriously consider it.

 

As the county works with its delegation in Jackson to get its resolution in front of legislators, efforts are underway locally to study the need and feasibility of a large sportsplex to be located in Lauderdale County. The creation of a sportsplex has been discussed by county, Meridian and Marion officials for years as a way to bring in tournaments and other big events, as well as the economic stimulus from hundreds of families staying in local hotels, eating in local restaurants and shopping in local stores.

 

Supervisors in January approved the study to dig deep into the issue and see if the demand for a sportsplex is as big as they believe.

 

Lauderdale County Tourism Executive Director Laura Carmichael told the board Thursday that a stakeholder meeting last week on the topic had gone will, with good participation from the community. More than 30 participants were able to weigh in, she said, providing multiple viewpoints for the study.

 

Supervisor Kyle Rutledge said he was glad to see people representing multiple sports involved in the project. While sportsplexs are traditionally associated with baseball and softball, having other sports involved will help county officials make informed decisions and choose the path that is right for residents.

 

Carmichael said a report on the feasibility study is expected by March 14 for supervisors to review. In the study will be an analysis of the market for a sportsplex in the East Mississippi region, estimated costs and what sports should be targeted if the county decides to go forward.

 

The report will also include options for an indoor sportsplex facility, an outdoor facility and a combination of indoor and outdoor features.

 

“They’re going to give us a real picture of where we can compete,” she said.

 

Supervisor Josh Todd said the idea of building a sportsplex has been talked about since he first joined the Board of Supervisors 13 years ago, and he is excited to see what the report has to say.