Fairfax County residents on Tuesday rejected the idea of being charged a 4 percent tax on all restaurant meals, a proposal aimed at finding new sources of funding for schools and county services.
Local reports said the tax fell by a 56-44 margin.
According to a county website, state law allows cities and counties to levy a tax on meals, but most do so only if approved by referendum.
The proposed meal tax in Fairfax would not have exceeded 4 percent. If approved, the revenue would have gone to schools and county services.
The ballot question read:
“For the purpose of reducing dependence on real estate taxes, shall the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia, be authorized to levy a tax on prepared food and beverages, otherwise known as a meals tax, as allowed by Virginia Code § 58.1-3833, at a rate not to exceed four percent (4%) of the amount charged for prepared food and beverages (which, based upon state law, is applicable only to sales outside of the town of Clifton, and towns of Herndon and Vienna that have already implemented a meals tax)? The revenues generated shall be dedicated to the following purposes:
70 percent of the net revenues to Fairfax County Public Schools.
30 percent of the net revenues to County services, capital improvements and property tax relief.”
