In a surprise
move, the Fishers Town Council tabled a proposal for a 1 percent food and
beverage tax intended to generate annual revenue for economic development
projects and property tax relief.
Some council
members said passage of the tax is now uncertain — a turnabout Monday night
that surprised even critics of the tax.
"It is
dead until four people decide to untable it," said Councilwoman Renee Cox.
Michael Colby,
a councilor, was more blunt: "Do I think it is dead? I do."
The General
Assembly passed a law earlier this year that allowed the Fishers council to
pass the tax, but it must be done before Dec. 31. The council meets next Dec.
16.
Critics of the
proposal have demanded to know how $1 million of estimated annual tax revenue
from such a tax would be spent. Pete Peterson, council vice president, said he
would like to have a project that could use the revenue lined up before another
vote.
A small yet
vocal minority of business owners and residents have questioned the tax during
two public hearings.
Tax opponent
Bill Smythe, owner of Claude & Annie's, said he was shocked by the council
action and hopeful the proposal would die.
If the tax is
approved, restaurant and bar tabs will be taxed at a rate of 9 percent in
Fishers - the same as nearby communities Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield. The
rate includes the state's 7 percent sales tax and a 1 percent county tax passed
earlier.
Town to help
build construction firm HQ
…
