Merrillville Considers Food & Beverage Tax
(photo courtesy: The Times of Northwest Indiana)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIt appears Merrillville officials won’t be able to move as quickly as they had hoped in pursuing a food and beverage tax.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report town officials had discussed attempting to get potential legislation in the hands of state lawmakers as soon as possible regarding a 1% tax that would be applied to restaurant meals purchased in Merrillville.
“I don’t think it’s going to go this session, so we need to get ready for next year,” Councilman Shawn Pettit said.
Pettit said an analysis completed last year shows Merrillville could generate $2.5 million to $4 million annually if a food and beverage tax is enacted.
The publication says if the possible tax advances, the town could use that revenue for economic development endeavors, including a contribution to the proposed development of a convention center.
But the community would need the state legislature to approve the tax.
“We not only need to sit down with them to make sure they are on board, we need to make sure they agree with the wording of the proposed legislation,” said Merrillville town attorney Joseph Svetanoff.
The paper says many details need to be worked out, but the tax wouldn’t exceed 1% of the cost of restaurant meals.