ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996                 TAG: 9605130066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER 

MEALS TAX WILL NOT BE RAISED MAYOR PROMISES NO NEW TAXES

Roanoke Mayor David Bowers on Friday promised that City Council won't consider "any new taxes" for another year and said council conversations about raising the meals tax had been misconstrued.

The subject of boosting the meals tax by 25 percent - from 4 percent to the state maximum of 5 percent - came up during council budget deliberations Wednesday.

Bowers called it a "good" tax because a portion of it is paid by people from outside Roanoke who come to eat at city restaurants.

Bowers and Vice Mayor William White also said that the $1.2 million raised through increasing the meals tax might be spent in increased tourist promotion efforts.

"My comment, in particular, seemed to be taken out of context in that regard," Bowers said in a statement Friday. "For that, I want to clarify my position and contradict - for the entire council - the impression left that any serious consideration was given to that tax. It was mentioned, but not seriously considered, as reported."

Two councilmen-elect who were present at the meeting, however, said they believed the conversation was serious.

"I don't think any elected official should ever bring up any tax proposal if it's not serious," Councilman-elect Jim Trout said. "I thought it was serious. Otherwise, why would you be talking about it?''

"The fact that you discuss taxes - with the way the public feels about it - is serious business," Councilman-elect Carroll Swain said. "I'm sorry that it came up."

The mayor also said, "I can assure our citizens a moratorium on the consideration of any new taxes for another year."

But White and Councilwoman Linda Wyatt both said they expect council to consider a gas tax as part of the legislative program recommended to the General Assembly next fall. That tax would be used to fund Valley Metro and would require that council cut the real estate tax rate.

"As far as implementation, no," White said. "But I wouldn't say we won't consider one. We've got to keep our options open."

Bowers could not be reached for comment.

LENGTH: Short :   47 lines