From the Indianapolis Star:
Fishers residents will get their say tonight on a proposed 1 percent dining tax at a public hearing.
Town Council is considering imposing the a new tax on food and beverage sales at restaurants and on other businesses that sell prepared food. Revenue from the tax would boost Fishers coffers for economic development.
If approved, food and beverages would be taxed at a rate of 9 percent in Fishers. That includes the state 7 percent sales tax and an earlier 1 percent food and beverage tax Hamilton County agreed to in order to fund Lucas Oil Stadium.
The hearing is 7 p.m. at town hall. A second public hearing and reading of the issue is set for Nov. 18 and a final vote is expected on Dec. 2. Legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year gives the Fishers Town Council the power to approve the tax by Dec. 31.
The dining tax would create just more than $1 million in revenue in 2014 and 2015 for Fishers, according to the Legislative Service Agency. The tax revenue must be used to for economic development purposes and to reduce the property tax levy for a particular year.
Other Hamilton County communities already have a food and beverage tax. Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield instituted a 1 percent restaurant tax in 2005. Combined with the county tax, that adds 2 percent to restaurant and bar tabs. If Fishers approves the tax, it also would have a 2 percent tax on food and drinks.
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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013311120028&nclick_check=1
