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Virginia Beach residents and restaurateurs urge council to roll back meals tax
Summary
At an April 15 special session, dozens of residents, restaurant owners and workers urged the Virginia Beach City Council to reduce or repeal the city's 6% meals tax (which speakers said stacks with a 6% sales tax), arguing it hurts thin-margin restaurants, reduces tips and burdens families.
Dozens of residents and restaurateurs urged the Virginia Beach City Council on April 15 to reduce or repeal the city's 6% meals tax, which many speakers said stacks on top of the 6% sales tax and effectively raises the cost of prepared food by about 12 percent.
"This tax doesn't just hurt owners or myself. It punishes the entire industry," said Marissa Ferguson, who identified herself as a restaurant worker, describing razor-thin profit margins and customers "double take" when presented with higher checks. "We're not asking for a handout. We're asking for fairness," she said.
Speakers representing restaurants, employees and trade groups gave multiple examples and figures. JB Moss told the council he had researched municipal rates and said, "There are 19,500 cities in the…
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