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Williamson council backs asking legislative delegate to seek LHOST inclusion under HB33
Summary
Council discussed HB33 and voted 4-1 to let the city's legislative delegate request that Williamson be included in collection of a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); council recorded that adopting LHOST would put the city at an 8% sales tax under the 9% cap and the measure would go to voters via referendum in November.
At a special called meeting on June 11, the Williamson City Council discussed House Bill 33 and voted to let the city’s legislative delegate express Williamson’s interest in being included in collection of a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST).
Mayor Steve Fry summarized HB33 to the council, saying the bill would allow governments with homesteaded properties to add an LHOST to recover lost revenue and reduce property taxes. The minutes state Pike County plans to collect the tax, and that the city would need to enact enabling local legislation to receive the funds. The minutes further note the sales-tax cap is 9 percent and that adopting the LHOST would place Williamson at an 8 percent tax rate. A referendum would be presented to voters on the November ballot for final approval.
Councilmember Carol Berry moved to allow the city’s legislative delegate to express Williamson’s desire to be included in collection of the LHOST; Councilmember Stephen Levin seconded. The motion carried 4-1, with Councilmember Bob Harrison voting against the measure.
The action authorizes the city’s legislative representative to seek inclusion in the LHOST collection process but does not itself adopt the tax; final voter approval would be required at the referendum. The minutes do not specify the legislative delegate’s name, the proposed local ordinance language, anticipated revenue estimates or an implementation timeline.
