Merrillville Town Council takes initial steps to establish food and beverage tax
During a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 20, the Merrillville Town Council approved Ordinance 23-32 as the first step in establishing a 1% food and beverage tax in Merrillville. Another companion Ordinance (23-33) was also approved. That measure would authorize the Town Clerk-Treasurer to create a receipt fund to accept the payments anticipated from the State beginning in 2024. Both ordinances advanced on first reading with 6-1 votes. The Town Council will consider adopting these ordinances on the second and final reading during the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on December 26. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 7820 Broadway. Public comments regarding the ordinances will be accepted during the session. If the ordinances are adopted, the food and beverage tax will become effective Jan. 1, 2024. The excise tax will be collected during sales of all dine-in and take-home prepared food and drinks sold at Merrillville eateries, bars, and similar outlets. At 1% of prepared food and drink sales, it equates to a penny on every dollar spent. It’s estimated the tax can generate about $1.8 million annually, and those funds can be used for Parks and Recreation as well as tourism purposes.
Visit https://www.merrillville.in.gov/government/town_council/food_and_beverage_tax/index.php for more information about the food and beverage tax. This webpage includes a link for residents to submit their input on the tax and to provide suggestions regarding how they would like to see the revenue used. Video of the Dec. 20 special meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16cVSuEq0uc