The tax will affect only a handful of businesses at present, said City Manager William Brock, but was designed with an eye toward future development such as movie theaters that could be built in the city in the future.
Brock said he wasn’t sure how much money would initially be raised through the 5 percent tax.
Council unanimously approved the tax in January with plans for it to take affect last February, but the charge was postponed for six months to address a few lingering issues and also give businesses time to adjust to the plans, Brock said.
Brock noted that if a business charged $2 admission previously, it would now have to charge $2.10 and council members wanted to give the businesses time to deal with the new policies and procedures involving coinage and change.
Nonprofit organizations such as churches or veterans groups are exempt.
The two businesses most noticeably affected by the charge will be Trader’s World and Treasure Aisle Flea Markets that bookend Interstate 75 on Ohio 63. Each charge a nominal entrance fee for patrons to enter. Management from both businesses did not return several calls for comment on the matter.
Mayor Robert Routson said he was in favor of the new charge.
“I think it’s good for the city,” Routson said. “It will generate a little bit of income without putting much burden on the citizens.”
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