Subject:
Title
9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. Intent to Adopt - Amendment to Town Code, Chapter 6, Section 6-33 Levy, to Increase the Meals Tax Rate from 3% to 4%
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DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
Town Council Meeting: Aug. 25, 2025, Sept. 8, 2025
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
On Nov. 18, 2024, following a public hearing, the Vienna Town Council continued the discussion of the proposed increase to the meals tax rate to its regular meeting on Jan. 27, 2025. At the Town Council meeting of Jan. 27, the matter was then deferred to Aug. 25. In January, Town Council did not direct the Town Clerk to "advertise a Notice of Intent to Adopt" for the August date. At that time the County was considering what it was going to do and for that and other reasons the Town Council just "deferred" the matter to Aug. 25, 2025, for further consideration. On Aug. 25, 2025, the Town Council voted 6-1 to increase the meals tax rate from 3% to 4%, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Back in January, the Town Council did not direct the Town Clerk to advertise a "Notice of Intent to Adopt at the Jan. 27 meeting. Accordingly, the Town Council will need to do a second reading of the proposed meals tax amendment and vote after the Intent to Adopt has been advertised. The Sept. 8 meeting agenda item is only for the Town Council to direct the Town Clerk to advertise a Notice of Intent to Adopt the meals tax amendment for Sept. 29 and then the vote on final approval (what is generally called the "second reading") can occur.
This agenda item is brought forth to Council to direct the Town Clerk to advertise a Notice of Adoption for the meals tax amendment (as attached).
The meals tax is a local tax imposed on the purchase of prepared food and beverages sold by restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other food service establishments within the Town of Vienna. Currently, the Town assesses a 3% tax on these purchases. This tax is paid by consumers at the point of sale and collected ...
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