Aspen residents who annually lick their chops for the city’s food tax refund will have more cash to drool over in 2018.
The City Council agreed to raise the payout to $55 during a public discussion on the local perk Tuesday, with plans to make it official through the passage of an ordinance early next year.
The City Council compromised on the increase. The annual refund has been $50 since 1998. Council members Ann Mullins and Bert Myrin lobbied for a $60 refund, given that the current amount has been stagnant for nearly two decades. Mayor Steve Skadron and Councilman Ward Hauenstein said they were satisfied with leaving it the way it is. Councilman Adam Frisch suggested $55.
“I think it’s more sound financial management to increase it more often at a less steep rate,” Frisch said.
Residents who lived Aspen for all of 2017, including their dependents, will be eligible for next year’s refunds.
Finance Director Don Taylor brought the issue to City Council to get direction on how to proceed with the tax, which the city introduced in 1970. The refund amount at the time was $7, with the idea behind it that Aspen, which is a home-rule city, did not exempt food from sales taxes unlike the state and cities that aren’t home ruled.
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