The Monroe County Council will take a vote on the proposed food and beverage tax Sept. 10.
Budget hearings scheduled for that day will continue as planned.
Geoff McKim, county council president, proposed the August meeting be used to discuss the interlocal agreement between the city of Bloomington and the county, and a vote be taken in September.
Public comment will be taken at both meetings.
Council members seemed in agreement that it was time to take a vote.
“We’ve had this process go on for quite some time,” said Rick Dietz, council member.
State legislation passed in 2009 allows the Monroe County Council to implement a 1 percent food and beverage tax on items bought in restaurants and bars. It would not apply to most grocery purchases, but could apply to purchases from the deli or other take-out section.
Money raised by the new tax would go toward the proposed expansion of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center.
Proponents of the expansion estimate it could add about $15 million and 200 new jobs to the county’s economy. According to studies, Bloomington visitors spend about $233 per trip.
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