On September 2nd, 2008, a 1.5% occupation tax for the state fair passed ten to zero Tuesday night at the city council meeting. The city council has also decided to block the tax once a principle amount of just over $5 million is raised for the Nebraska State Fair and added a sunset clause.
The final decision came two and half hours into the council marathon session, with a lot of questions regarding the sunset clause. The members of the council agreed to set the clause at six and half years. Other citizens spoke out against the decision, saying that there are already enough taxes deducted from their checks every month, and that they cannot see how these taxes will benefit them personally.
On September 4th, 2008, the city moves forward with the rest of the Nebraska State Fair funding, including $5 million Wells Fargo lease/purchase with the city for a facility. Fonner Park is also part of the talks. The approval on the occupation tax joins money committed by Hall County. $500,000 in property taxes from the Hall County Ag Society and the $500 in keno money all help Grand Island meet their deadline of $3 million by October 1st, 2008.
[15-09]
John M. Thorpe
