Vote Tourist Tax - urges Councilor Thomas
Jackson councilman urges approval of Nov. 3 tourism tax increase
A Jackson city councilman called on residents to support a November ballot measure raising the city's tourism tax, which has not changed since 1983.
At the Jackson City Council's regular meeting on Oct. 20, 2026, Councilman Brown Thomas addressed the council about the upcoming referendum. "That rate has been set. It has not been adjusted since 1983," Thomas said, adding that "on November 3rd, there is a referendum on the ballot that will increase that ever so slightly."
Thomas said the increase would be modest for consumers, noting that "if you buy a $20 cheeseburger, it'll be an extra 10 cents," and "if you stay at a hotel room that cost $100, it'll cost you an extra $1." He stressed the importance of passage, saying, "we've got to pass it and it's got to pass with a 60% vote."
The measure requires approval from 60% of voters to take effect. The tourism tax has remained unchanged for more than four decades, and the referendum marks the first attempt to adjust the rate since then, with the outcome to be decided at the polls Nov. 3.