Town of Ackerman; authorize a tax on restaurants to promote tourism, parks and recreation.

Ackerman restaurant tax needs voter approval

The law lets Ackerman set a tax of up to 2% on restaurant sales of prepared food and drinks. The tax can start only after town officials set its rate and start date, and at least 60% of voters who vote approve it. Officials must publish election notice for three straight weeks, with the first notice no earlier than 21 days and the last no later than 7 days before the vote. If approved, restaurant operators add and collect the tax from customers when practicable; schools, hospitals, convalescent and nursing homes, and related facilities serving students, patients, visitors, or families are excluded. The Department of Revenue collects the tax, and the town receives the money by the 15th of the following month, after any department amount is retained. The town must keep the money in a separate fund for tourism, parks, and recreation, and have its accounts independently audited each year; the authority ends July 1, 2030.