Fairfax County considering food and beverage tax to help budget shortfall
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - Diners in Fairfax County could soon start paying an additional tax on the food they order.
Leaders in Fairfax County are proposing a food and beverage tax as a way to help close the current budget gap. People aren't too happy about the idea, that right now, is just a discussion.
"Whenever there is additional money that needs to be paid, I think everyone's reaction is not to like it. I'm not very happy. I already think that it's expensive to come out to eat, so I don't know," Annandale resident Evelyne Kluessendorf said.
Fairfax County would be joining several other areas in northern Virginia such as Alexandria, Arlington and Prince William County that collect a food and beverage tax on ready-to-eat meals at restaurants and drinks — it would not include groceries.
"I don't want anymore taxes. Honestly, we already pay enough on taxes and I don't think right now the way the economy is, more taxes are going to help," said Jose Romero.
Fairfax County leaders say at the moment two-thirds of the county's revenue comes from real estate taxes but food and beverage tax could change this.
At just 1%, leaders say the meal tax would generate about $35 million in revenue annually, costing diners on average about $50 a year if the rate remains the same. But the county is looking to set the rate anywhere between 4% and 5%.
County Supervisor Dalia Palchik says one-third of the food and beverage tax will be paid by non-Fairfax County residents who are commuting to or visiting the county.
"We rely mostly on our real estate taxes and, you know, living here has become more and more expensive. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of options. It's not something we want to look at but it allows us to diversify, schools, public safety," Palchik said.
If this food and beverage ordinance passes, the county will have to hire about 20 people to help collect the tax, costing almost $3 million. The Board of Supervisors are expected to meet next week to set the tax percentage, followed by a public hearing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Border Patrol says California, LA 'sanctuary' policies force public patrols
The Brief ICE raids and protests against them continue popping up across Southern California. Border Patrol has been in Los Angeles for about a week, working with ICE. Border Patrol says they'll be here "until the job is done." LOS ANGELES - While anti-ICE protests continue to pop up across Southern California, FOX 11 interviewed Border Patrol on Wednesday to discuss their current operations occurring across the Los Angeles area. "It is a little bit out of the ordinary to see Border Patrol here in Los Angeles," said Assistant Chief David Kim from Border Patrol's El Centro Sector. What we know Border Patrol has been working with ICE in the Los Angeles area for about a week, following President Donald Trump's order to expand deportation efforts. "We're here in Los Angeles, deep in the heart of sanctuary territory," said Kim. "It is a lot more difficult to make these arrests." On Tuesday, Kim said crowds of people followed Border Patrol agents to a parking lot in Pico Rivera. They had been apprehending non-U.S. citizens outside a Walmart. SUGGESTED: Video showing ICE takedown of US citizen in Pico Rivera parking lot sparks community outrage In video from the scene shared with FOX 11 by viewers, a struggle can be seen taking place between a Walmart employee and Border Patrol agents. A U.S. citizen was arrested as a result of the struggle. "The narrative right now is just a U.S. citizen was arrested for no reason," said Kim. "But, in fact, that subject punched two agents and is now in custody facing federal charges for assault." What they're saying According to Kim, the deportation efforts taking place at car washes, work places, and parking lots are amplified by sanctuary immigration policies in California and Los Angeles. Instead of having a handful of agents in local jails, Kim says they have to have more agents on the street carrying out immigration enforcement operations. RELATED: LA ICE protests have cost the city nearly $20 million: See the numbers "We don't have support from the state legislators here," said Kim. "That's forcing us to go out and do roving patrols." FOX 11 asked how they pick targets while carrying out "roving patrols". "Without giving away some of the tactics out there, the vast majority of these roving patrols would just be consensual encounters," said Kim. "We know where to look, and we know the indicators." The other side In recent weeks, some residents have expressed their concerns and fears associated with these apprehensions and deportations. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the raids are wrong. "When you raid Home Depots and work places, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you're not trying to keep anyone safe," said Mayor Bass. Kim pushed back against Bass' claims, saying that when he and his team were doing roving patrols in a Home Depot, they found an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, "who back in 2015 had sexual intercourse with a minor under 16." What's next Border Patrol says they'll be in the Los Angeles area helping ICE "until the job is done." "Immigrants, those that are here legally, have nothing to worry about," said Kim. "But, if you are here illegally, my recommendation is to self-deport. If we find you, you will get arrested." The Source Information in this story is from an interview with Assistant Chief David Kim from Border Patrol's El Centro Sector, comments from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and previous FOX 11 reports.
Associated Press
13 hours ago
- Associated Press
2 men get life sentences in shooting death of 11-year-old outside stadium that prompted gun ban
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two men were sentenced Wednesday to lifelong terms in prison in the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy outside an Albuquerque baseball stadium in 2023 that prompted the New Mexico governor to issue a controversial gun ban, the district attorney's office in Albuquerque said. Investigators say a truck carrying a mother and three young children was mistaken for another vehicle in the shooting as vehicles were leaving the stadium. Gunfire killed 11-year-old Froylan Villegas and paralyzed cousin Tatiana Villegas, while Foylan's mother and baby brother were unharmed. A jury in February convicted Jose Romero and Nathen Garley, both in their early 20s, of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, shooting at or from a vehicle and other charges in the death of Villegas. The men were sentenced to life in prison plus 46 years, ensuring they will stay under Corrections Department custody permanently, prosecutors said. In the aftermath of the shooting and others that killed children, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a public health emergency over gun violence, temporarily suspending the right to carry guns in some parks and playgrounds in the greater Albuquerque area. The decision touched off protests and legal challenges by advocates for gun rights. District Attorney Sam Bregman, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2026, said in a statement that the shootings 'shook our entire community' and praised his staff for pursuing accountability.
Bloomberg
14 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Non-Doms Are Trying to Sell London Homes, But No One Wants Them
The number of London homes for sale at £5 million ($6.8 million) or more rose to the highest on record last month, as the nation contends with the departure of wealthy foreigners looking to escape tax hikes. There was a 22% year-on-year jump in these homes on the market at the end of May, according to data from researcher LonRes. However, there were 15% fewer deals compared with the same month last year, hinting that the UK's decision to abolish tax breaks for non-domiciled residents has weakened demand.
