West Columbia City Council, at a 9 a.m. meeting Tuesday, passed final reading of an ordinance that implements a 2% Hospitality Tax (H-Tax) for prepared food in the city.
The H-Tax vote passed 7-2. Councilmen Jimmy Brooks and Tem Miles – for the second time- voted against the tax. Brooks said there is no reason to add a tax- at a meeting last week. Miles said it’s not the right time in lieu of other increases.
The H-Tax is projected to be used for traffic-attracting projects in the city’s business districts, including Triangle City, State and Meeting streets, which include The River District. Riverwalk is another area that could see improvements- including parking space increases- from H-Tax revenue, said City Administrator Brian Carter.
The H-Tax is expected to generate $1 million for to the city’s budget in the first year, of partial implementation. And $1.2 million in the next year of full implementation.