Mayor Nancy Vaughan’s first meeting on the possible prepared food tax, didn’t go well.
Trying to convince restaurant and bar owners that they need to pay more taxes than everyone else is a tough sell, and Vaughan didn’t appear to have any buyers among the 20 or so restaurant people present at the two hour meeting on Monday, July 17 at Windows on Elm on North Elm St.
The tax increase Vaughan is pushing is for an additional 1 percent tax on prepared food, usually called a restaurant tax. It would reportedly bring in about $12 million a year.
Vaughan started the meeting with a PowerPoint presentation of about 45 minutes – much of it about tourism, in particular youth sports tourism in Greensboro. During the comment period after the presentation, former mayoral candidate Eric Robert noted that Vaughan’s presentation had been about 30 minutes too long – and that was among the nicest comments heard from the audience.
One of the other complaints from restaurant owners was that there was so much crime in the streets that they had to close at midnight instead of being open until 2 a.m., and now they are going to be asked to pay more taxes.
One person said that if the revenue from the proposed restaurant tax was going to be spent on police, he would be more inclined to support it.
Vaughan said in her presentation that both Mecklenburg and Wake counties as well as other jurisdictions in the state had a prepared food tax and that Greensboro needed to have the same taxing authority to compete.
Hal Blevins of Machete restaurant said, “It’s hard to do business in Greensboro. We can’t do things they can do in Mecklenburg County. We can’t do the things they do in Wake County.”
Vaughan said, “People I talk to say that Greensboro is a very easy place to do business.”
This brought a lot of comments all at once; none seemed to be in agreement. One speaker said, “Anybody in here ever had the city help you with anything, raise your hand.”
No hands were raised, but a lot of grumbling was heard.
Isabel Villa-Garcia of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association asked. if the goal was to get more revenue from people visiting Greensboro, why not raise the sales tax instead of picking on one industry.
Vaughan said that the past two attempts to increase the sales tax in Guilford County had failed.
About 20 restaurant owners attended the meeting and along with Vaughan. Representing the city was City Manager Tai Jaiyeoba, City Attorney Chuck Watts, Intergovernmental Relations Manager LaToya Caesar-Crawford, a couple of IT people and a couple of people from the Communications and Marketing Department.
President and CEO of the Greensboro Sports Foundation Richard Beard spoke about the need for more and upgraded facilities for sports tourism.
Nancy needs to go, but we’ll have to wait till 2026 to do it.
2025. Council is elected in odd years so they will never be on a date with a presidential ballot. That helps keeps the turn out low and them in power.
100% agree.
This idiot was supposed to not run for reelection, but her ego wouldn’t allow it and now we all suffer.
Anyone interested in the idea of recalling Vaughan should email recallgso@gmail.com
Put the idea on the ballot and let the voters decide. I’ll bet you’re afraid of that idea A better idea ask skip for some of the millions back the city taxpayers have given to the money pit wanna be museum and while you’re at it get back all the wasted money from cure violence program and don’t forget
Mr. Kenndys fleecing of the taxpayers. These steps would be a good start.
Ever heard of representative democracy? Might want to read up on the concept, since its been our form of government for around 200 years.
Actually, it’s a constitutional republic.
I can’t believe they would even propose such a tax when Honda Jet was just given millions in incentives.
No words, is she that audacious or just that much out of touch?
First the restaurant industry was crushed by covid, now by high inflation, and the Mayor thinks NOW is the time to add more hurdles to the industry? What is she mixing in her Kool-Aid?
Forgive me John, but it’s one of my pet peeves when journalists describe a new or additional tax as something that would “bring in an additional $12 Million a year”. It actually deprives us regular folk of $12 Million a year, doesn’t it? The money would be taken from us – whether we like it or not – and then poured into the bottomless pit that is the Parasitic Sector. Perhaps Tai just can’t get by on $6,000 a week…
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Taxes don’t “increase revenue” (another term that’s often used) – they decrease the people’s revenue. The way in which the revenue redistribution is always characterized displays the bias of the mainstream media. They are so statist that they can’t even see their bias. I hope that you will refrain from taking such a statist viewpoint in future.
Any and all taxes don’t raise revenue, they reduce revenue ( if your perspective is that of the people, not the state).
I’m not sure what your “peeve” is. The proposed 1 percent restaurant tax will increase the city’s revenue by about $12 million a year. I don’t know how much it will decrease your personal revenue because I don’t know how much you will spend eating prepared food, but the city will be about $12 million richer if the tax is implemented.
You’re absolutely right when you say it “will increase the city’s revenue by about $12 milllion a year”. That wording is accurate.
What’s problematic is when reporters say that a tax hike will raise X million, or increase revenue by X million. They’re subtly adopting the position of the state, not that of the people. If a new tax raises X million for the public sector it also takes X million from the private sector, but the latter perspective is never expressed in the media.
That’s my pet peeve; that the media always seem to take the perspective of the government rather than the perspective of the people.
Mandate Mayor with another tax raising push. As our city crumbles and is desperately short on sworn officers our Mayor wants food taxes to subsidize Performance Arts Boondoggle and Matt Browns fiefdom.
How much longer on her reign of oppressive taxation and blindeye to real city issues?
I think the statement ” The last two attempts to increase the sales tax has failed.” speaks volumes. The citizens clearly don’t want it. If I spent money willy nilly like the council I’d be bankrupt. They also aren’t held accountable for the money they DO have. I just can’t see supporting this.
Shame on nancy for supporting the communist working party. Shame Shame Shame damn liberal socialist.
Nancy used to be a Republican that fought development on New Garden. Now I am sure she will vote to screw Starmount with the property on Friendly. They will sell it as one thing and then squeeze Section 8 among the almost million dollar houses. You know the one that pay the most tax.
They probably elected her and this travesty of a mayor! Never met a tax she didn’t like! Taxation is theft!
They probably elected her and this travesty of a mayor! Never met a tax she didn’t like! Taxation is theft! But, hey, you have Bike Lanes.
Why does it seem that all the city wants to do is raise taxes and never do anything that benefits the tax payers.
Poor Nancy. Her socialist agenda didn’t go well.
Vaughn is delusional. We don’t need another tax to “compete”, in fact lower taxes would actually make us more competitive. Tipping used to be considered fair at 10%, then it was 15%, then the 10% amount stopped showing up on the little hint at the bottom ofvthe ticket. I noticed at one restaurant that even the “suggested” 18% had been replaced with just 20% and 25% though there was and option on the handheld device for a “custom” amount.
So, prices of food have gone up over 20% in the last two years, the tips expected have gone up as well, even tips are expected at self service checkouts and this cretin Vaughn thinks another cost added to dining out will make us more competitive. Like I said, she is delusional… and possibly be tested for drug use as she doesn’t sound like she’s in her right mind.
As a senior citizen on a fixed income, I see a lot more beans and rice at home in my future. I already eat at restaurants that give a discount for paying cash, but raising taxes more will be a deal breaker for eating here in Guilford County. Hopefully, Kernersville will not lose their minds anytime soon
I am curious what special interest groups are earmarked to be funded by the $12 million the council proposal will collect. Taxing one business type (restaurants) or commodity (prepared food) is totally unfair.
Tourism $$$ may keep many restaurants from folding, but the resident population who dine out is their primary income source.
It’s mostly a move for building a soccer stadium at White Oak and a new amphitheater downtown at Market and Church. They will throw in talk of soccer fields at Bryan Park north and throw a bone to Jamestown/High Point. The other problem is they are carrying a lot of debt service and that is biting into their operating budget. They need to grasp at new revenues. The debt service on the TPAC $45 million is about $2 million a year. So an additional $12-20 million (the actual estimates are about $17 million) could help them build new facilities and carry some existing debt service as well.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but the timing is terrible. If they slid it in 20 years ago no one would’ve noticed.
On top of the last two property tax hikes it is just egregious.
What is interesting to me is that the council (especially certain members) scream about equity. Is equity taking this money and putting it in soccer fields, the coliseum, I am sure eventually the GPAC, and the swimming equitable? Those facilities benefit mostly white people who can afford travel sports or year round lessons. So as you go to McDonald’s or Chick Fa La as a middle or lower economic level person and pay the proposed tax you will pay so “Grayson” or “Madison” can play soccer at Bryan Park.
Greensboro, you had a chance to get rid of this clown called a mayor. You liberals have got to get educated on politics or suffer the consequences. I think a better tax would be on lottery tickets and scratch-offs. Totally voluntary.
Nancy, why don’t you and your city council move to Mecklenburg or Wake County? That would solve alot of problems
Keep pissing in people’s face and tell them its raining. Just got my tax bill in the mail today. Getting closer to moving out of this hole.
DTF we were just discussing this very subject this weekend. Preferably where the police are funded.
Another hike like the past two and I’m done forever, let someone else be the sucker for a change.
buh bye!
Lol….potential $12 million…whatever, it will be pissed away on another EDI dreamboat project this bunch can dream up. Greensboro will never be able to compete with Charlotte or Raleigh or any other city. You think your are in high cotton with all your give aways to the businesses coming in. After the freebees are gone, then we shall see what sticks to the wall. Praying I am long gone from Guilford County by then.
I just got my 2023 tax bill in today’s mail, up $800 over 5 years ago the prepared food tax is in my refrigerator able to buy 40% less thanks to Democrats! We need to start protests why wait till next year?
City of Greensboro Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget; “$751.3 million”
City of Greensboro Fiscal Year 2013-44 Adopted Budget; “$459,114,076”
751 – 459 = $292 million increase in 10 years.
292 / 459 = 63.6% more in 10 years.
I am against this tax! I am sick of being taxed to death! I wish I had gotten out of Greensboro a long time ago. Property taxes are a rip-off!
It’s unfortunate when our mayor is the Village Idiot? Downtown Greensboro and its Restaurant Industry is only two gunfights away from collapse? All those Parking Decks will be a waste as no one will venture downtown due to the ever-rising crime and lawlessness in our city. In fact, most of my acquaintances no longer go downtown due to the cruising, loud mufflers, and music blaring from the vehicles on N. Elm. And yes, it is our Mayor and City manager that don’t support our Police or realize the importance of effective law enforcement.
As for Richard Beard’s request for money to upgrade our Coliseum Sports facilities, just think of the $800,000 Mayor Vaughan and Coliseum Director Matt Brown wasted when they single handedly canceled our Gun and Hunting Shows at the Coliseum! Meanwhile, Rap Crap shows with performers rapping about killing cops is ok!
Jim Donaldson
Raleigh: $0.433 per 100
Charlotte: $0.3481 per 100
Greensboro: $0.6725 per 100
Those are the municipal property tax for the locations in Vaughn’s presentation while attempting to impose a prepared food tax on restaurants. I can see why Raleigh and Charlotte have a prepared food tax when they manage their municipalities on a much smaller property tax assessment. Why can’t Greensboro live on less. This Mayor’s and city council’s idea of management appears to be throw money at an issue and it will be resolved. If not resolved, then tax the citizens more, and throw more money at the issue. That appears to be their solution.
Umm, the restaurant owners DON’T pay the tax, as this article incorrectly states multiple times.
“Vaughan said in her presentation that both Mecklenburg and Wake counties as well as other jurisdictions in the state had a prepared food tax”…..not sure why she added all the fluff. This one statement sums up the Greensboro City Council’s future plans. We hire consultants to help with a “Vision Statement” and the first thing they do is break out Charlotte’s Vision Statement as the ideal model. When we have to replace a City Manager, we hire a consultant to do a nationwide search for the best candidates and they bring the city a castoff from…..you guessed it Charlotte. So whatever Charlotte, Raleigh, or Durham do, Greensboro will be skipping along right behind them emulating their “visions” and hiring their castoffs.
I usually stop just short of taxation is theft, but it is public record that my property tax on a sub $200k home went up more last year than Nancy’s $1mil house. No new taxes.
The coliseum has always operated in the red first few years we paid .50 to park that was supposed to last until the parking lot was paid for must have been a 100 year loan on it. The Tanger center was supposed to be self supporting and paid for the hotel and parking revenue another crock of horse crap. Maybe a good first step would be to cut Matt Browns salary in half bring back the gun show and get rid of the 6k a week city manager. Who the hell needs that kind of money to live on in Greensboro especially with our crime and homeless problem. Best step yet get rid of all women on the council. They are driving Greensboro into a deep hole.
Nancy, why don’t you address a real problem-our understaffed police department?
On pace for almost 80 homicides. Maybe that will get her attention.
Why tax restaurants? GBO has so few good ones, but the budget and then at last resort propose a tax on the theater prices not local restaurants!
“Youth sports tourism”. So WE have to pay more taxes so that kids from out of town can have a nice soccer stadium. Until Durham decides to build a larger, fancier soccer stadium.
Get out of the County!