In response to a number of questions, under the enabling legislation, the Natchez Convention and Promotion Commission and the City of Natchez are separate governmental entities, with separate budgets and accounts. The composition of the commission is six bonded commissioners, statutorily responsible for the administration of tax monies for the promotion of conventions and tourism in compliance with Mississippi law. The statutory advisory committee to the commission is named the Natchez Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee (TMAC). The composition of TMAC is made up of representatives from the Natchez tourism and hospitality industry. The commission receives recommendations from TMAC for the commission’s budgetary process. The financial plan adopted by the commission is first submitted to and approved by the mayor and board of aldermen for approval prior to implementation for each fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1. The commission has broad powers under law, including authorization to hire staff; however, through agreement with the city, the commission currently utilizes services of city employees, transferring monies from the commission’s operating account to the city clerk monthly for provision of city personnel services to carry out commission business under the direction of the commission. The commission rents office space from the city in the city-owned and operated welcome center by the Mississippi River Bridge. The city’s Office of Tourism Management is also located at the welcome center. Commissioners and TMAC members receive no compensation.

The business of the commission is public record and of public concern for the proper expenditure of public funds. The bonded commissioners are responsible for expenditure of the $2 heads on beds tax and the 1.5 percent restaurant and 3 percent lodging taxes. The monies received from taxes are used for tourism marketing and for the operations of the commission. A portion of the restaurant and lodging tax receipts goes toward service of the Natchez Convention Center bond indebtedness.

This commission is about complete transparency, fairness and equitable attention to all local tourism stakeholders and legal compliance. The commission has public meetings. The commissioners make every effort to ensure that all Natchez tourism stakeholders have a fair opportunity to benefit from the expenditures of the commission and that no individuals and/or businesses have an unfair advantage at the expense of other individuals or businesses. All expenditures of tax monies for which the commission is responsible require pre-approval by the commission, and the expenditures must be in accordance with the vote of the commission. The commission’s minutes and audio of its meetings are available to the public upon request.

J. David Gammill II, Chair

Natchez Convention Promotion Commission