Food & Beverage Tax vote postponed
Nov. 27—GREENSBURG — The Decatur County Council met Tuesday evening and a vote regarding the addition a new 1% tax on prepared food and beverages in Decatur County was postponed until after the first of the year. The matter is now expected to be voted on at a meeting scheduled for a 6 p.m. start Jan. 19.
With all council members present and fielding questions from the audience, conversation eventually focused on a discussion of whether or not community leaders want a functional pool at all.
As has been reported in the Daily News, proceeds from the new tax, if it is passed, would be earmarked for construction of a new aquatics center as well as improvements at the Decatur County Fairgrounds.
"I feel like you've gotten off track here ... . Nobody disagrees with the decision of a pool ... . We all want a pool. What you are here to vote on is the issue of the Food and Beverage Tax," audience member Jeff Emsweller said.
Finally, council president Danny Peters said, "The problem I've got with it, I know it's only pennies, but it puts into hardship people who will have to collect the money to build the pool. What's it going to cost them to make our money for us?"
Concern then switched to whether or not the matter should be tabled or postponed.
Council member Deanna Burkart pointed out that if the issue was tabled or postponed, the benefits of the tourism surge expected for the April eclipse could be lost.
Finally, a vote to postpone was taken with council members Burkart, Kenny Hooten, Ashley Emsweller Hungate, Bill Metz, and Melanie Nobbe voting yes and council members Ernie Gauck and Peters voting no.
Watch for additional coverage on this issue in upcoming editions of the Daily News.
Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com
