The collective decision has been made to withdraw House Bill 1236 — the proposed food and beverage tax — from consideration.
Over the past two weeks, our team has received feedback from our residents and local business community, some in support of the tax and others not. Given the wide array of comments, we know it’s in the City’s best interest to not pursue the tax.
The Indiana General Assembly’s role in this process is one that gives the petitioning municipality the ability to adopt a local ordinance to enact the funding source. The actual decision to adopt the tax is made at the local level.
Currently, there are 39 communities around the State that have adopted a food and beverage tax, with approvals dating back to the 1980s. The aim was to help provide an additional funding source for the local projects listed in the bill and to assist in enhancing the level of tourism opportunities, both of which are the only identified uses of the funds and cannot be changed. Each and every person has the absolute right to have a say in how they spend their money and where they spend it. Everyone works hard for the money they earn, so whether you are willing to spend 10 cents on a $10 purchase, 50 cents on a $50 purchase or $1 on a $100 prepared food and beverage purchase, it should, of course, be up to the individual. No one should be made to feel like they are doing something wrong if they do or do not support the tax.
Two areas I heard the most comments and questions about were the parking and non-city owned properties — the historic Lake County Courthouse and Old Jail. For those who visit our great downtown square and certainly for the businesses located there, the creation of additional parking areas is always a priority. The City has worked over the past years on expanding street parking, expanding and enhancing existing parking lots and also constructing new parking. Our square has emerged over the past decade or so with such great and unique establishments, and it is a draw for our residents and those who make the trip from elsewhere to see it, all of which benefit these businesses. The fact that the creation of more parking areas is needed speaks to the quality of businesses we have in Crown Point and how our City is a destination in the Region. The City is fully committed to continuing to enhance parking.
While it is true that the historic Lake County Courthouse and Old Jail are not city-owned properties, they are an incredibly vital part of our beautiful City’s rich history. Both entity’s leadership teams continue to do a great job in maintaining the sites and thinking of ways to help generate funds to make them a destination people want to visit, however, both require millions of dollars. The City’s commitment to each would have been to assist the respective boards with fixed funding to help them in their efforts; their success is the City’s success.
We have a unique and great City. We have the absolute best business community anywhere in Northwest Indiana for what they provide for all of us and the Region. Myself and the City will continue to partner with them on doing whatever we can to help in their continued success.
Peter D. Land
Mayor, City of Crown Point
