(a) There is hereby levied and imposed in the county, in addition to all other taxes of every kind now imposed by law, a privilege or license tax on the sale of any automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, and house trailer required to be registered or licensed with the Lamar County Judge of Probate and purchased other than at wholesale in the county from any person, firm, or corporation which is not a licensed dealer engaged in selling automotive vehicles, truck trailers, semitrailers, or house trailers an amount equal to one and one-half percent of the purchase price.

(b) Where any used automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer is taken in trade or in a series of trades as a credit or part payment on the sale of a new or used automotive vehicle, truck trailer, semitrailer, or house trailer, the taxes levied by this section shall be paid on the net difference, that is, the price of the new or used vehicle or trailer sold less the credit for the used vehicle or trailer taken in trade.

(c) The tax levied by this section shall be collected by the Lamar County Tax Collector at the same time and in the same manner as the tax levied by Section 40-23-101, and shall be subject to all the same definitions, exceptions, exemptions, proceedings, requirements, rules, regulations, provisions, penalties, fines, punishments, deductions, and discounts; provided, however, the tax collector shall not be entitled to receive additional compensation for collection of the tax authorized herein.

(d)(1) The revenue collected by the tax collector pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Lamar County Commission to be deposited in a special fund for the Lamar County Water Coordinating and Fire Prevention Authority. The Lamar County Commission shall distribute such funds to the authority from time to time upon the written request of the chair of the authority. Such written request shall become a permanent record of the Lamar County Commission minutes and a copy of such request shall be retained by the authority for inclusion in the permanent records of the authority.

(2) In the event this section shall become effective prior to the passage of an act providing for the incorporation of the Lamar County Water Coordinating and Fire Prevention Authority, any funds held by the Lamar County Commission to the credit of the Lamar County Water Coordinating and Fire Prevention Authority shall be held in escrow until such time as such authority is incorporated.