Tupelo sales tax would help pay for regional water bonds

The text would allow Tupelo to collect a 0.25% sales tax and use some proceeds to pay for water project bonds. The tax would apply within Tupelo and support the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District's project, including facilities needed to serve the Wellspring site. The tax would apply to sales and services subject to the state sales tax, plus certain food and drink sales that would otherwise be exempt if bought with food stamps. The tax must be imposed before bonds are issued. It may cover no more than half of bond payments; other sources and user fees must cover half of project costs. If available money cannot cover bond payments, the city must levy a property tax sufficient to cover the shortfall. The tax would end on the first day of the month after all bonds issued under this act are fully paid.