Hospitality Tax Passes for City of Goose Creek

Goose Creek City Council passed the 2-percent hospitality tax Tuesday night during a regular meeting of council.

The vote was 6-1 with Councilman Jerry Tekac voting against the ordinance. According to a council member present at the meeting, there was much discussion among those attending the meeting for and against the tax.

The tax affects prepared food and beverages. Surrounding communities, like Summerville, already have a hospitality tax. The tax will go toward tourism and recreational projects around the city.

City Council previously tabled the proposed ordinance after passing first reading in June. The measure was brought again to full council after a consultant, working on the city's economic development study, reported the tax would not hurt the city's chances of having attracting restaurants, and the tax would likely only improve the city, according to Councilman Franklin Moore. Moore was among the majority who voted in favor of the ordinance. 

"(The consultant) gave us a report and it basically said that we need to do it," Moore said.

The tax will be effective Jan. 1. The city will begin receiving revenue Feb. 20.