Elkton to consider restaurant tax

Elkton City Council will consider an ordinance to create a restaurant tax and tourism commission when it meets Thursday afternoon in special session.

Anyone buying prepared food at a restaurant or deli in Elkton would pay an extra three-percent under the proposal and Mayor Jackie Weathers says revenues would be used to fund the new local tourism commission.

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Todd County relies heavily upon volunteers for its efforts to promote tourism and the mayor says creation of a commission would alleviate some of that strain and put an increased emphasis on bringing in more visitors.

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Mayor Weathers says much of the city’s budget is used for infrastructure needs and new revenues are necessary to create a tourism commission.

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Greenville has a restaurant tax that funds its tourism commission and representatives will be in Elkton to present information on their efforts at the 3 p.m. Thursday special-called Elkton City Council meeting.

Mayor Weathers says owners of local restaurants were mailed an invitation to be at the meeting and they’ll be allowed to speak and ask questions during the presentation. The ordinance would also create a transient room tax, also referred to as a hotel tax.

First reading could come Thursday and it would require two approvals by council before taking effect.