Every week hundreds of people visit the Tunica Museum.  Through the years we have recorded visitors from every state in the union and many foreign countries.  Even before the bright lights of the casinos drew people here, there were notable people who for one reason or another passed through Tunica County.

The first “tourist” to spend time here was undoubtedly Hernando DeSoto. Certainly there was no tourism infrastructure in 1541, but our history books would tell us that DeSoto was impressed enough with this area that he spent considerable time here before he wore out his welcome.

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[Editor’s note: This letter was prepared prior to last week’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting and read aloud at that meeting. County administrator Michael Thompson requested that this address be printed in its entirety in The Tunica Times.]

Dear Supervisors,

The excessive expenditure mentality that has been pervasive in Tunica County since the inception of gaming must come to an end. We must become fiscally responsible with our resources, which begins with doing the most basic job of governing...operating from and adhering to a balanced budget. Simply stated, expenditures should be in line with revenues.

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Tunica County plans to borrow up to $3 million to meet a current shortfall in its general fund. Supervisors had voted previously to pursue such a loan, but on Monday, Feb. 3, the Board tacked on a new twist – repaying that loan with a 5 mill tax levy for three years.

District 4 supervisor Henry Nickson put forward and District 3’s Phillis Williams seconded a motion to “consider a tax levy to cover the shortfall loan, if necessary.” The Board passed the motion on a 4-1 vote, with District 2’s Cedric Burnett the dissenting vote.

Earlier in the discussion, county administrator Michael Thompson told the board that Tunica County was “insolvent” after the general fund balance dipped to negative $1.75 million in December. Thompson said the general fund had  “borrowed” from the separate road department fund to cover the December overdraft but did not recommend continuing that practice.

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The Town of Tunica and Tunica County gets inundated with heavy rains Tuesday, when three inches fell in a 24 hour period, most after 8 a.m.

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