Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a bill granting Eupora resort status, which is contingent upon a majority of city voters deciding to legalize alcohol sales here. Reeves signed Senate Bill 2253 on July 8, according to the Mississippi Legislature’s website. This came after the Eupora Board of Aldermen approved a resolution June 8 defining the process in which a city requests the House of Representatives to declare the city a resort area. The classification of resort status would allow the city to allow a vote by Eupora’s registered voters to allow restaurants and convenience stores to sell beer and other alcoholic beverages. The sale and possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Webster County, which is dry. The resolution mentioned Whites Creek Lake as being a recreational attraction and the four-lane U.S. 82 as bringing tourists, vacationists and others to the city. Republican Sen. Rita Park of Corinth sponsored SB2253, which in part revises the definition of qualified resort area. History of action on the bill shows Republican Rep. Joey Hood, whose district includes Webster County, was among three legislators who entered a motion to reconsider on June 11. The bill was reconsidered, amended and passed as amended June 16. It was signed in the Senate and House on July 2 before going to the governor’s desk. Parts of the act concerning Eupora amend sections of the Mississippi Code to revise the definition of the term “qualified resort area” and require an election to be held before certain municipalities may be designated a qualified resort area, both under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. The bill does not mention Eupora by name but is apparently referring to the city in the section stating the term “qualified resort area” includes: “Any municipality with a population in excess of 2,000 according to the latest federal decennial census and in which is located a part of Whites Creek Lake and in which U.S. Highway 82 intersects with Mississippi Highway 9 and located in a county that is partially bordered on one side by the Big Black River; however, the governing authorities of such a municipality may by ordinance: “a. Specify the hours of operation of facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale; “b. Specify the percentage of revenue that facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale must derive from the preparation, cooking and serving of meals and not from the sale of beverages; and “c. Designate the areas in which facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale may be located.” The bill notes that, before a municipality may designate as a qualified resort area, an election ordered by city governing authorities must be held on the question of whether it will be a qualified resort area The city must give 30 days notice and an election on the question cannot be held more than once a year. The ballots used in the election will have these words printed on them, according to the bill: "For the Establishment of Qualified Resort Areas" and "Against the Establishment of Qualified Resort Areas.” Qualified resort areas may be established only if approved by a majority of those voting.
