JAMES CITY COUNTY– Community members and restaurant industry representatives voiced strong opposition to a proposed increase in the county’s meal tax from 4% to 6% during a recent public hearing, warning it could hurt local businesses, workers, and residents already facing rising costs.
On April 14, at the last JCC Board of Supervisors regular meeting, several speakers urged the Board Members to reconsider the increase, arguing that the additional tax would disproportionately impact local diners and the hospitality industry.
Marie Homer, a longtime hospitality worker and county resident, said the tax would place a burden on both customers and restaurant employees.
“While James City County is in need of funds, I don’t just believe the increase in this meal tax will be detrimental, I know it to be true,” Homer said.
Homer, who said she has worked in the industry for 33 years, spoke on behalf of restaurant workers who could not attend the meeting.
“Bussers, waitstaff, prep cooks, cooks, hosts, dishwashers, and proprietors, many of whom cannot be here this evening because they’re working,” she said.
She warned that higher taxes could lead to reduced tips, lower wages and financial strain on small business owners. Homer also emphasized the impact on lower-income residents.
“For many, the quick meal is not discretionary, it’s survival,” she said.
Chris Henderson, a former restaurant owner, said customers focus on the total bill rather than separating taxes from menu prices.
“Consumers and diners do not differentiate between what’s paid to the restaurant and what’s paid to the taxing authority,” Henderson said.
He added that most restaurant patrons in the area are local residents, not tourists, meaning the tax would largely fall on the community.
“This tax is going to hurt James City County citizens at a time where you’re increasing their real estate taxes substantially,” Henderson said.
Rachel Sears, executive director of the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association, said the industry is still recovering from recent economic challenges and rising operational costs.
“Restaurants are operating on really tight margins while facing the obvious rising costs across the board,” Sears said.
She cautioned that increasing the meal tax could reduce customer traffic and threaten small businesses.
“The biggest concern for me is to see another restaurant close its doors,” Sears said.
Sears also noted that diners have already expressed frustration with rising taxes when eating out.
Resident David Turner connected the proposed increase to broader concerns about rising taxes, including property taxes and inflation.
“The more you tax something, the less you get,” Turner said, arguing that higher overall costs will reduce discretionary spending like dining out.
Speakers repeatedly stressed that the cumulative effect of taxes could discourage both residents and visitors from dining in the county, ultimately impacting local businesses and the economy.
The Board of Supervisors has not yet made a final decision on the proposed tax increase. The next board of supervisors meeting will be on May 12 at 5 p.m. For additional information, please visit the official website.
