Selma Leaders Want Audit on Anniversary Weekend Tax Revenue

Selma city officials are asking for a state audit to determine why the city’s tax revenue during the Bloody Sunday 50th anniversary was lower than anticipated.

Mayor George Evans told the Selma Times-Journal the city’s tax revenue for the month of March was roughly $16,000 more than it was in March 2014, despite thousands of extra visitors coming to town for the anniversary weekend.

Councilman Cecil Williamson says the anniversary event cost the city roughly $200,000 and the city has an outstanding bill of about $165,000 to pay for cleanup and transportation overtime costs.

Council President Corey Bowie says city leaders have asked the mayor to request an audit from the Alabama Department of Revenue to review tax revenue local businesses reported in March.

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