SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - It's no secret Southaven Mayor Greg Davis is in a lot of hot water with the state, told to pay back $170,000. The Mississippi auditor says Davis misused and abused tax payer money. This month, Southaven's taxes went up.
That's when the city's new Penny for Your Parks tax went into effect. Voters passed the hike in October before the investigation into the mayor went public. It's a decision some are now second guessing.
"I think we're taxed too much," says Paula Hunt. "We don't need any extra taxes, especially for our elected officials to just waste."
Hunt says she's rethinking the trust she puts into Southaven's elected officials. She's not the only one.
"Have to keep an eye on the mayor," says Mike Costello.
On December 1st, Southaven started collecting one percent on restaurant tabs, part of the Penny for Your Parks new tourism tax.
It passed with almost 75 percent voter approval in October, created to help pay for $35 million dollars in new parks, baseball fields and a senior center next to Snowden Grove.
"A lot of these things will be improvements," says Assistant Parks Director Jared Azzone. "Things for the city, for residents."
But voters are re-thinking giving the city even more money in light of the state audit into Mayor Davis.
"We'll hope it goes to the parks where it belongs," says Sharon Fairburn.
"They voted it in," Costello adds. "Got to go along with it until they vote it out."
Davis is being investigated for misusing tax payer money, thousands budgeted in the city's tourism and travel fund.
"You put your trust in the people supposed to lead you," Fairburn tells abc24.com. "We just have to go with that I guess."
Penny for Your Parks is projected to bring in millions for Southaven, taxpayers hope it's millions spent on the city's parks.
