Ordinance Amending Chapter 90 Article VI Section 90-262 (Meals Tax)

Summary

This ordinance proposes to amend Chapter 90, Article VI, Section 90-262 of the City Code to increase the meals tax from 4.0% to 6.0%, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. At the April 8, 2025 City Council meeting, the ordinance was introduced on a 4-3 vote (Hall, McQuillen, and Peterson opposed), with the first reading waived and a public hearing scheduled for April 22, 2025. The public hearing was held as scheduled on April 22, 2025, during which multiple restaurant owners and business representatives, including the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, spoke in opposition to the proposed increase. No Council action was taken at the April 22 meeting; the matter was deferred for Council consideration to May 6, 2025.

Open questions & options on the table

• Council vote on final adoption or rejection of the ordinance, scheduled for May 6, 2025.
• Whether Council will modify the proposed rate increase (e.g., adopt a rate other than 6.0%) in response to public opposition.
• Whether the July 1, 2025 effective date will be maintained if the ordinance is adopted.

Recent updates

What members have said

Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.