PASCAGOULA — Charlotte Jerde remembers her granddaughter’s first birthday at Beach Park — watching her run through the splash pad, laughing and chasing water jets.

“There were a lot of people there,” Jerde said. “(It was) just fun to watch her experience that for the first time and interact with other kids. She really enjoyed it.”

That splash pad — and the memories that come with it — wouldn’t exist without a small city restaurant tax that brings in big benefits.

Pascagoula is one of several Mississippi cities with a tax on prepared food and drinks at restaurants, bars and hotels. Renewed by the Mississippi Legislature in March, the new authorization begins in July and runs through 2029.

Small tax, big impact

Since voters first approved it in 2013, the tax has generated about $1 million a year — all of which goes directly to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The additional revenue funded major upgrades to parks across the city, including Beach Park and a $10 million sports complex that has become a regional hub.

“It was to go towards the 2012 Parks and Recreation master plan,” said City Manager Justin Larsen. “That plan was to upgrade parks. We (also) built a sports complex — that’s kind of the big deal.”

Larson said the complex draws more than 90 teams for weekend tournaments throughout the season.

“Those are people that are coming into Pascagoula, and that helps the economy here,” he said.

In Mississippi, local sales taxes like this one require legislative approval and must be renewed every few years.

The details of these special taxes, including how when they need to be renewed and where the money goes, vary from city to city. You can find a full list on the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s Special Tax Levy Advisories page.

While many cities on the advisory list split tax revenue across tourism, economic development or park improvements, Pascagoula devotes 100% to parks and recreation.

Local support

Many residents were aware the tax existed — but not what it funded — until RHCJC News asked them about it. But once they learned, support came easily.

“I knew about the tax, but I did not really know what it went towards,” Jerde said. “If it’s going to fund stuff like this and to keep the park maintained and add new things when they can, I would say, yeah, that’s a good reason to impose a tax.”

Broocks Hutcherson, a Pascagoula native, didn’t notice the price change when the tax increased her dining bill from 7% to 9%.

“Not really. No, not at all. I haven’t really noticed a difference,” she said. “The children need somewhere to play, somewhere safe and nice. So, I think it’s great.”

Even when reminded the tax adds about $2 to a $100 meal, neither Hutcherson nor Jerde found it unreasonable.

“No, I haven’t really noticed it,” Jerde added. “I mean, if we’re going to go out to eat, we go out to eat.”

Investing in community

For Jerde, the investment isn’t just in infrastructure — it’s in family and community.

She’s hosted birthday parties at the park and bought snow cones from the food stand. She has spent summer days there with her children, and now her grandchild, enjoying the space.

“Just the memories with my children and spending time with them here,” she said. “With my grandchild coming here now, we’re kind of carrying on the tradition.”

Larsen said the tax helps cover essential long-term needs most residents don’t see, like turf maintenance and lighting upgrades.

“The lifespan of a playground is about 15 years,” he said. “Every 15 years, you have to completely rehaul these playgrounds, and Pascagoula has a lot of playgrounds, and so that money goes towards those.”

City parks include Beach Park, Lee Tingle Park, the sports complex, a soccer complex, and multiple baseball and softball fields.

“We’ve got many parks here in Pascagoula, so the budget alone for parks and rec is pretty expensive,” Larsen said. “It’s right up there as much as the police department budget would be — not quite that much — but the 2% is something we really need to continue to offer the services that we do.”

The City of Pascagoula gives the Parks and Recreation Department about  — and the 2% tax provides about 30% of it.

For residents like Jerde, the payoff is easy to see.

“I would encourage anybody who hasn’t made it out here to just come check it out,” she said. “I think they would be impressed, and they would enjoy it.”