Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 11, 1992 TAG: 9203110315
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Short
The board tabled the idea more than a year ago, after the town of Rocky Mount pre-empted the county from collecting the levy from restaurants within town limits by imposing a meals tax of its own.
But County Administrator John Lester has revived the issue by including meals tax revenue in a proposed $37.4 million spending plan for 1992-93.
Lester estimated that a 4 percent levy on meals and beverages served in restaurants would raise $175,000 in the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Charles Ellis, Gills Creek supervisor, said the board should enact a meals tax before tourists arrive at Smith Mountain Lake this summer.
Ellis said the tax would take pressure off the board to raise the property tax rate. "We can definitely use this money," he said.
Lester's proposed spending plan also calls for raising tipping fees at the county's landfill from $28 to $38 a ton.
Lester included no increase in local spending for education. The School Board is asking for an extra $1.2 million to provide employees with 6 percent raises and an extra $40 per month for health insurance premiums.
Lester is scheduled to make a more detailed report on the budget request Tuesday.
by CNB