As a decision on the proposed food and beverage tax by the Monroe County Council approaches, local business
organizations are trying to firm up official stances on the plan, and support for it is far from certain.
organizations are trying to firm up official stances on the plan, and support for it is far from certain.
The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce sent a note to its members this week asking for comments on the proposed 1 percent tax, with plans to come up with an official stance for the organization before the council’s next meeting on May 14, said Liz Irwin, director of advocacy and public policy for the chamber.
The proposed tax would take advantage of a 2009 legislative act that allows the county to impose a 1 percent food and beverage tax on items served in restaurants and bars, but not items sold in grocery stores. Money raised would go toward expansion of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center.
Supporters estimate the expansion of the convention center could add about 200 jobs, and an additional $16 million a year to the local economy.
In the past, the chamber supported both the legislative action that created the tax option and an expansion of the convention center, but that does not mean chamber members will necessarily support the tax.
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The first public hearing for the food and beverage tax will be on May 14 in the Nat U. Hill Meeting Room at the Monroe County Courthouse.
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