The City of New Ellenton took a step toward beautifying its recreational facilities last month when City Council passed on second reading a 1 percent hospitality tax that went into effect on July 1.
The measure was passed in a 6-1 vote during Council's June 15 meeting. Mayor Vernon Dunbar said the tax is expected to raise $30,000 annually for the city.
Similar to Aiken, New Ellenton's hospitality tax will be set at 1 percent and is a tax on the gross proceeds from the sale of prepared meals, food and beverages, which includes items prepared in grocery stores and gas stations.
Monies raised from the added tax will fund renovations to Evans Park, located behind City Hall off Main Street.
Specifically, the city is working on getting a shelter for the park, as well as getting more grills for public use. In addition, the city is looking to add more benches and garbage cans, fix up the pavilion and make upgrades to the track.
Dunbar said concerns have been voiced on making the sure money is spent properly, but any money spent will first have to be approved by Council.
"We're going to do the right thing with this money," Dunbar said. "By fixing up our park, we hope to attract more families to the facility and to New Ellenton."
Mayor Pro Tem Terence Williams added that New Ellenton followed in Aiken's footsteps with its hospitality tax passage. Aiken introduced the hospitality tax possibility, and, after months of deliberation, the City passed its fundraising measure in May. The hospitality tax went into effect in June.
"We looked at what Aiken did and thought it would help us enhance and grow our parks," Williams said.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.