(The Center Square) — The Caddo Commission voted this week in favor of the 2% sales tax increase at the TA truck stop in Hosston, ending the months-long discussion surrounding the implementation of the tax increment financing agreement.
After a lengthy discussion spanning the past few months, the 2% sales tax passed in the Caddo Commission regular session on Thursday afternoon by a 7-4 vote.
At the beginning of March, the commission voted to advance the TIF ordinance for the Interstate 49 North boundaries economic development district. Since the advancement, city officials, business owners and commissioners have had heated discussions.
Hosston Mayor Kim Jaynes took the podium for the final time during the public hearing with a petition signed by residents of Hosston and surrounding areas supporting the sales tax.
“When Edgemont Holdings came in, they didn’t just come to build a truck stop. They invested in us when no one else would,” said Jaynes. “And they did it with the understanding that there would be a path of reimbursement through the public partnership.”
Hosston Chief of Police Jessie Colston and Hosston Alderwoman Misti Banks stood beside Mayor Jaynes supporting the tax.
The 2% sales tax is being added to the existing sales tax at the truck stop, increasing it to 12.6%. The tax is not being implemented in the entire village of Hosston.
There was no update when the tax will take effect.
The Hosston truck stop was recently raided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sparking further controversy amongst the community as seven foreign nationals were allegedly detained.
Commissioner Chris Kracman, who has been vocal about his opposition to the tax, previously spoke with The Center Square after the truck stop’s ICE raid.
“I’m not gonna be for a tax hike anyway as it is because there’s already a 10% tax up there,” Kracman told The Center Square. “But, now that we are getting into the weeds of this thing, there are several legitimate holes in this whole thing,”
Commissioner John Akins also provided a statement to The Center Square supporting Kracman’s opposition. Atkins was among the four commissioners who voted against the tax in Thursday’s regular session.
