From the Indianapolis Star:
Time ran out for Fishers to enact a 1 percent food and beverage tax intended to boost funds for economic development and property tax relief.
Council members had until today to approve the tax, which would have generated an estimated $1 million in annual revenue for the town. Yet the seven-member council made no moves to revive it in two meetings since tabling the proposal in a surprise vote in early December.
A combination of public opposition and council member fears about raising taxes before a special election led to the proposal’s death, a council member and a tax critic said.
Fishers will remain the only community in Hamilton County with an 8 percent tax on dining tabs after turning the increase down for the second time in eight years.
In 2005, Hamilton County — along with Marion and surrounding counties — agreed to help fund Lucas Oil Stadium by adopting a 1 percent food and beverage tax. Communities in these counties were allowed by state lawmakers to approve another 1 percent dining tax to generate additional revenue. Fishers rejected the additional tax then, but it was adopted by the nearby communities if Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield. Food and beverages in those communities are taxed at 9 percent, which includes the state’s 7 percent sales tax.
At the request of Fishers officials, the legislature passed a bill earlier this year giving Fishers another chance to approve the tax by Dec. 31.
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http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2013/12/31/fishers-tax-hike-is-dead/4269331/
