City Council rejects bid to increase local taxing control
DAVE GONG | The Journal Gazette
A resolution by the Fort Wayne City Council opposing an effort to increase local control over food and beverage taxes was approved tonight, even though state lawmakers have already said the proposal will not be given a hearing this session. It s not that I m not for the (Capital Improvement Board) and wanting to make the city of Fort Wayne a better place to live and have the economic growth and development that we ve had over the years, Councilman Tom Didier, R-3rd, said. This is just a precaution from the standpoint of what has happened with COVID-19. It s hit the restaurant industry so hard.
Council nixes food-drink tax plan
Henry wanted control to be taken out of state s hands
DAVE GONG | The Journal Gazette
A resolution by the Fort Wayne City Council opposing an effort to increase local control over food and beverage taxes was approved Tuesday, even though state lawmakers have already said the proposal will not be given a hearing this session.
“It s not that I m not for the (Capital Improvement Board) and wanting to make the city of Fort Wayne a better place to live and have the economic growth and development that we ve had over the years,” said Councilman Tom Didier, R-3rd. “This is just a precaution from the standpoint of what has happened with COVID-19. It s hit the restaurant industry so hard.”
Verbatim: Ground broken for The Riverfront at Promenade Park
The Journal Gazette
The city of Fort Wayne issued this news release today:
Fort Wayne, Ind. Mayor Tom Henry joined by the Director of Community Development Nancy Townsend, developer Barrett & Stokely and other city leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Riverfront at Promenade Park. The development will go up on the northeast corner of Superior Street and Harrison Street.
The city has worked closely with the Indianapolis-based development firm on this private investment since 2019. The six-story, mixed-use building will include more than 200 apartments, seven town homes, and a 900-space parking garage. There is approximately 30,000 square feet of office space and nearly 15,000 square feet of retail space. The is an investment of $88.7 million.
Editorial
Heavy-handed Statehouse again limits local control
First, put aside any thought of paying a higher food and beverage tax whenever you finally feel comfortable enough to eat at an Allen County restaurant, or even place a carryout order. It s not going to happen anytime soon; it might not happen ever.
But you should consider how any discussion of a higher tax was short-circuited last week. Politics is the primary reason; the Indiana General Assembly s Big Brother approach to local government is a close second.
Mayor Tom Henry began the public tax debate by announcing the city s interest in enabling legislation that would give City Council the authority to raise the food and beverage tax rate by one cent. He said the increase wouldn t be requested until the restaurant industry “has fully recovered from the current economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”