BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Voters in Bennington will consider in March whether the town should impose a 1 % local option tax.
The select board decided this week to place the tax plan on the annual Town Meeting Day ballot. Voters will be asked whether the tax should cover retail sales, rooms, meals and/or alcohol sales, the Bennington Banner reported. Voters may select any or all the categories. The tax would be collected with the state sales taxes and 70% of the revenue generated would go back to the community.
Town Manager Stuart Hurd has suggested that the revenue could go toward offsetting some of the property tax burden to buy large equipment, improve recreational facilities or for other purposes.
The remaining 30% would be used to fund a state program which goes to communities that host tax exempt state property, such as courthouses, meaning Bennington would receive some of that funding.
Select Board candidates Colleen Harrington and Nancy White opposed the tax plan, saying many can’t afford new taxes and that it would be detrimental to businesses.
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