The Monroe County Council is expected to vote tonight on a 1 percent food and beverage tax. The tax would be used to help fund an expansion of the convention center.
The tax hike would apply to all food and drinks sold at bars, restaurants and some items at grocery stores.
Proponents say the convention center expansion is overdue, citing data showing the convention center has to turn away more than half the requests it receives because it's not big enough.
"We're losing 40 to 50 groups a year of overnight business," says Visit Bloomington Executive Director Mike McAfee. "Groups of 200 and 300 people that want to come here during the week, and stay overnight in our hotels, and use the convention center and go out and spend money like we do."
Critics say the tax will disproportionately affect lower income families. Some say the county should find other ways to fund the proposed expansion.
"If there is an innkeepers tax increase that's gonna affect just people staying out of town, I don't think I'd be as much against that," says Monroe County Republican Party Chair William Ellis.
Ellis says he doesn't know if the proposed expansion is necessary. It would cost about $35 million to build the convention center. Indianapolis-based Sun Development would pay for and build a $37 million Embassy Suites hotel as part of the project.
County officials have considered the tax many times over the last several years.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the county courthouse.