Ridgeland voters to decide tax increase on Tuesday

While voters all over Madison County will go to the polls next Tuesday to vote in the presidential election,  Ridgeland voters will vote on a referendum to raise taxes to expand Freedom Ridge Park.

Polls are open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. and run until 7 p.m. 

The deadline for absentee voting is Saturday, Nov. 2. Absentee voting is available at the Circuit Clerk’s office during regular hours this week and through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until noon. 

Ridgeland voters will consider a temporary 2-percent tax increase on hotels and a 1-percent tax increase on restaurants within city limits on Nov. 5. The proposed tax is to fund an estimated $50 million expansion to Freedom Ridge Park. 

According to sample ballots available through the Madison County Circuit Clerk’s Office, voters will be asked to vote either “For the tax” or “Against the tax.”

Mayor Gene F. McGee said the proposed expansion would roughly double the park’s size. Specific amenities include pickleball courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields.

The revenue generated from the new tax will be dedicated solely to expanding Freedom Ridge Park.

If approved by voters, McGee said they would like to start collecting the tax in January to determine projected monthly income from restaurants and hotels in the city. The city would then likely issue revenue bonds after a price tag is determined for the project. McGee said when the project is complete and the bonds are paid off the tax will “go away.”

City officials had to petition the Legislature to have the item on the ballot, and 2024 Senate Bill 3221 authorized the city to proceed.

Countywide, voters will consider their options for several local, state, and federal positions, including United States President. 

There are nine candidates for president on the ballot. These include the Republican nominee former president Donald J. Trump and his running mate for Vice President J.D. Vance and the Democrat nominee current Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate for Vie President, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Also on the ballot are Libertarian Party Candidate Chase Oliver and Green Party Candidate Jill Stein. Randall Terry of the Mississippi Constitution Party is also on the ballot. Four Independents are also running.

Democrat challenger Ty Pinkins faces incumbent Republican Roger F. Wicker for the United States Senate.

Republican challenger Ron Eller faces Incumbent Democrat Bennie G. Thompson for the U.S. House of Representatives Second Congressional District seat.

The state Supreme Court race includes Jenifer Branning, Byron Carter, Ceola James, Jim Kitchens, and Abby Gale Robinson.

In local contested elections, Marvin Milner and Jonathan J. Tillman Sr. face off for the School Board District 4 seat. The School Board race is non-partisan.

Three county election commissioner seats are up for grabs. 

Helen L. Carney, a Republican, faces Democrat Pamela Stribling Cotten for District 1 Election Commissioner. Republican Joanne Pearson faces Democrat Walter Young Jr. for District 3 Election Commissioner. Republican Debbie Bryant-Bergansky faces Leroy Lacey, a Democrat, for District 5 Election Commissioner.

Three races are uncontested, including U.S. Rep. Michael Guest’s for U.S. House of Representatives in the Third Congressional District.

The others are for School Board District 3 where Samuel C. “Sam” Kelly who is the lone candidate and Latrice Westbrooks is running for Court of Appeals District 2 Position 2 and Jack Wilson is running for Court of Appeals District 3 Position 1.

For any additional information, contact the Circuit Clerk’s office at (601) 859-4365.