Subject:
Title
8:10 p.m. - 8:40 p.m. - Intent to Adopt Change to Meals Tax Collection Method for Certain Town-Sponsored Events.
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DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
Set public hearing: Aug. 26, 2024
Public hearing: Nov. 18, 2024
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
After years of difficulties managing meals tax collection at Town-sponsored special events, event organizers and Town staff agreed on a method to collect a flat fee before the event. While the Town would lose a small amount of revenue, it would improve relations between organizers and the Town and prevent vendors from skipping tax payment altogether.
During the public hearing on Nov. 18, a change was made to allow Vienna restaurants who pay regular meals taxes as a percent of gross receipts to use this flat fee, too, if they participate in those special events.
Staff recommends making this change to Chapter 6, Finance and Taxation, Article 4, Meals Tax. This change requires a two-thirds majority to pass.
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend adopting the amendment to Chapter 6, Article 4 as presented.
Finance Recommendation: Recommend adopting the amendment to Chapter 6, Article 4 as presented.
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council has conducted a public hearing to receive public input and proposed an additional clarification to ensure the flat fee also applies to Vienna based vendors for festivals. The Town Council may approve the proposed flat fee meals tax for Town sponsored festivals/events in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council adopt the changes to the Vienna Town Code, Chapter 6, Finance and Taxation, Article 4 Meals Tax, as presented.
Cost and Financing: $0
Account Number: N/A
Prior Funding Approval: Annual General Budget (Year), Amendments, CIP Budget (Year), or ARPA. N/A
Decision Needed by This date: Dec. 9, 2024
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to ado...
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