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

Summary

The City Council is considering an ordinance to amend Chapter 90, Article VI, Section 90-262, which would increase the meals tax from 4.0% to 6.0%, effective July 1, 2025. On April 8, 2025, the Council voted 4-3 to introduce the ordinance, waive the first reading, and schedule a public hearing for April 22, 2025; members Hall, McQuillen, and Peterson voted in opposition. The public hearing was held as scheduled on April 22, 2025, during the City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting, where multiple restaurant owners and business representatives, as well as the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, spoke in opposition to the proposed increase. No Council action was taken at that meeting, and the matter was deferred to the May 6, 2025 Council meeting for consideration.

Open questions & options on the table

• Will the Council adopt, amend, or reject the ordinance at the May 6, 2025 meeting?
• Will the 2.0 percentage point increase (4.0% to 6.0%) remain as proposed, or will any modifications be considered in response to public opposition?

What members have said

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