Fishers town officials are hoping a new 1-percent
restaurant tax will boost funding for economic-development projects in the
growing Hamilton County community.
Legislation passed by the Indiana General
Assembly and now on Gov. Mike Pence’s desk would give the Fishers Town Council
power to impose the new food and beverage tax at restaurants and other
businesses that sell prepared food.
The estimated $1 million in annual revenue generated from
sales at area restaurants and bars would be earmarked for economic development
projects, said Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness.
Fadness declined to say what projects the town was
considering except that the funds would go to capital incentives related to
economic development. If Pence signs the bill, Fadness said there would public
debate on whether the council should OK the tax and what the potential projects
would be.
The council would have until Dec. 31 to approve the tax.
“There has to be a lot of dialogue about it,” Fadness
said, later adding: “The project would be a a sound investment that will bring
something back to the community.”
The plan is part of House Bill 1070, authored by Rep. Jim
Baird, a Greencastle Republican, that also gives the town council of Cloverdale
in Putnam County the same power.
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