Fewer people spoke against the proposed food and beverage tax than sit on the Monroe County Council.
Only three of the nearly 20 people that spoke Tuesday during the council’s public hearing on the topic said they were against the proposed food and beverage tax.
However, more than half of the hearing’s speakers had ties to either the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center or to tourism in the county.
This is the first time public comment was heard on the proposed tax, despite the fact that the county council has been debating it since February.
State legislation passed in 2009 allows the Monroe County Council to implement a 1 percent food and beverage tax on items purchased in restaurants and bars in the county, but not on grocery store purchases. Money raised could go toward expansion of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center.
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