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Food and Beverage Tax Increase in the Works

According to recent comments by Botetourt County Board of Supervisor Member, Terry Austin, he wants to put a new tax on Food & Beverage sales in Botetourt County.  The article from the Fincastle Herald, January 13, 2010 says,

“Buchanan District Board of Supervisors member Terry Austin was at the meeting and noted that every area of county government will be affected---from the Sheriff’s Department to the Treasurer’s Office.  He suggested the General Assembly give counties the same taxing authority as cities have.  Cities can levy taxes on cigarettes and higher meals and motel taxes.  “We have the same expenses as cities,” he said.”

A bill passed in the State Senate, SB280, will allow the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors to implement a Food & Beverage Tax with a simple majority vote.  Why does Terry Austin want this legislation to pass when the Board of Supervisors already can put this measure to a referendum and allow the citizens to vote on whether they want their taxes raised?  He wants this legislation for two reasons.  First, he knows that the citizens of Botetourt County do not want their taxes raised and would not grant the authority.  Secondly, he wants to blame the tax increase on the state legislature so he will not be held accountable.  SB280 has passed the State Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Delegates.  Senator Smith voted against raising the taxes.  Senator Edwards voted to raise the tax which will put businesses in Botetourt County at a competitive disadvantage with Roanoke.

Is it likely that the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will vote in favor of this tax increase?  I think the answer is yes.  I say that because of the action the Board of Supervisors has taken since Terry Austin made these comments.  At the board meeting held January 26, Terry Austin was voted in as chairman.  Austin was nominated by newly appointed Fincastle Supervisor Donna Vaughn.

What can be done to STOP this TAX? 

1.       Contact all members of the House of Delegates that you know as well as Botetourt County Representatives Del. William Cleaveland, (540-591-5959) and Del. Lacey Putney, (540-586-0090 ext. 1).  Tell them you are opposed to SB280.  Tell them that you support legislation that makes it more difficult to raise taxes and not easier.

2.       Contact Members of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and tell them that you do not want increased taxes.  Taxes depress the economy and with the current state of the economy we should do nothing to depress it further.  Botetourt County Government spending has increased to 148 percent what it was in 2006.  Decrease spending instead of raising taxes.  Contact Chairman Terry Austin (254-1085), Vice-Chairman Steve Clinton (992-3066), Donna Vaughn (884-2789), Don Assaid (992-6445), and Billy Martin (977-8085).

3.       Contact Danny H. Goad at (540)283-9289 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to receive more information about this legislation or would like to help stop the onslaught of taxes.