<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Yq6DF_0vl9jlE100" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Yq6DF_0vl9jlE100" width="1320" height="743" >GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Eating out adds up in Grand Island where a penny and a half tax brings in millions to pay for parks and improvements and while taxes aren't going up, your receipt may soon get more complicated.The food and beverage tax has benefited a number of community projects, providing funding for things like the new inclusive playground that also received private funds.Voters approved the tax in 2008 and made it permanent in 2016. When you spend 10 bucks on a sandwich, 15 cents goes to the city.“We're seeing really consistent numbers, trending just north of $3 million, still have a few business days to collect this fiscal year but similar year to year,” assistant finance director Brian Schultz said.Some projects may otherwise not happen or would be paid with property tax funds.“We are able to use it as de facto property tax relief and it is a revenue stream from people that do not live directly in our community that contribute to that pot of money,” Schultz said.Visitors to the State Fair pay the tax at the fair while all restaurants are obligated to collect the money too.“We’ve got Aksarben going on right now, all the various things we have going on, those visitors contribute to that,” said Tonja Brown of Grow Grand Island.The number of taxes customers see on the receipt can bring questions.“Is this right, it looks like an extra tax,” Schultz said of the comments he hears because in Grand Island the food and beverage tax is one of several.“You could see multiple, enhanced employment, food and beverage, and now a good life occupation tax as well,” Schultz said.Starting October 1, areas around the mall will officially become a good life district with some sales tax dollars that currently go to the state instead captured by the city. The finance department says they put all the information online for citizens to see and have multiple layers of input to keep things transparent, like a committee of community members that looks at where the money goes.“There's rules with those dollars and citizen review to make sure staff is doing it the right way,” Schultz said.The food and drink tax also provides funding to the State Fair and Husker Harvest Days while Grow Grand Island receives funding for efforts to attract young professionals.“We get an annual allocation and that’s like giving the community a voice in what we do with the money,” Brown said.This year’s food and beverage projects include:<ul><li>Tennis court resurfacing</li><li>Island Oasis renovation</li><li>Parks and rec master plan</li><li>Ryder Park baseball field improvements</li><li>Pier Park Skate Park improvements</li><li>Stolley Park train area improvements</li></ul>The new good life district occupation tax takes effect Tuesday, Oct. 1. It won't change what you pay but it will impact retailers in how they report taxes to the city and state.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Grand Island's food and beverage tax funds community projects, totals $3 million

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Eating out adds up in Grand Island where a penny and a half tax brings in millions to pay for parks and improvements and while taxes aren't going up, your receipt may soon get more complicated. The food and beverage tax has benefited a number...