The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

Wilson County unaffected by liquor tax law ruling




WC schools logo - ONLINE ONLY

WC schools logo – ONLINE ONLY

Wilson County Schools will continue to battle with the City of Mt. Juliet over owed back liquor-by-the-drink tax revenue after a recent Tennessee Supreme Court ruling did not have an impact on the proceedings.

The Wilson County school board filed a lawsuit against the city in 2014 in Wilson County Chancery Court after the parties failed to reach an agreement about payment for liquor-by-the-drink back taxes collected until 2013.

Wilson County Schools Attorney Mike Jennings said several cities collected liquor-by-the-drink taxes without knowing they were supposed to split the revenues with county education systems.

Wilson County Schools Deputy Director Mickey Hall said the city owes about $372,000 to the district for taxes collected.

The state Supreme Court ruled last month that cities with their own school systems are not required to share with counties the proceeds they receive from the sale of liquor-by-the-drink taxes.

“It doesn’t affect our case,” Jennings said. “It doesn’t affect the City of Lebanon because they are not a city-operated school system. They are a special school district.”

As a special school district, Lebanon Special School District, although within city limits, is not governed by the City of Lebanon and maintains its own taxing ability.

Mt. Juliet does not have its own school system in the city as all schools are a part of Wilson County Schools.

A hearing in Wilson County Chancery Court is set for Nov. 14 to determine the amount owed to Wilson County by Mt. Juliet.

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