The proposed Cadiz restaurant tax ordinance received its first reading at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The ordinance championed by Cadiz and Trigg County Tourism Commission Executive Director Bill Stevens would levy a 3% tax on all city restaurants with a business license. Revenues collected would fund the tourism commission’s marketing and promotion campaign. The council split 3-3 last week to draft the ordinance. Mayor Lyn Bailey broke the tie in favor.
“Of course tourism is the number one thing here that we promote, and of course we solicit business and industry but we have a lot of money come into town with what we have to offer in Lake Barkley, Barkley Lodge, Land Between the Lakes," said Bailey. "It would be a real plus for both the city and the county.”
Bailey said there’s been some opposition but an overwhelming number of local businesses support the tax.
Suzzane Henry, owner of Cadiz Family Restaurant, told the Cadiz Record that "now is not the right time for a tax." Henry said the tax is unfair to city businesses because restaurants in the county would benefit from the same tourism boost without having to pay the tax.
Bailey said the ordinance will be read again at the June 4th meeting and if passed may go into effect in early July.
