05/15/2024
💥💥A HUGE Thank you to Bobby’s Market owner, Logan Patrick, for once again fighting for less to***co taxes in Washington County, Virginia!!💥💥
NATO®
TO: NATO Local Initiative Group
FROM: Josh Pruett, NATO Local Consultant
Date: May 14, 2024
County/State: Washington County, VA
Kind of Ordinance Restrictions: Proposed cigarette tax of up to 40 cents per pack. Tax rate is undetermined at this time.
Kind of Meeting: Board of Supervisors Meeting on May 14, 2024.
Outcome of Meeting/ Future Action: The board voted unanimously to table to the item until the next regularly scheduled meeting. At that meeting, another first reading will be held and if the board decides to move forward with the advertising of a public hearing, a tax rate will be selected.
Summary of Local Government Official Comments/Actions:
During public comment, no members of the public spoke.
However, it is important to note that NATO has reached out to Logan Patrick (Bobby’s Market), who was instrumental in defeating the 2021 cigarette tax proposal. Over the past few days, Mr. Patrick has had multiple conservations with various board members.
County Administrator Berry said this is the same ordinance that was brought forward three years ago. He noted that the only difference is that the current draft ordinance doesn’t contain a tax rate and the board needs to discuss a rate prior to advertising a public hearing.
Supervisors McCall and Stevens said they would like to have a public hearing to get feedback from the public.
Supervisor Ball suggested that the ordinance be tabled until a future date.
After Supervisor Ball made his request, Supervisor McCall made a motion to table the first reading until the next regularly scheduled meeting. This motion was made to give the board enough time to discuss a tax rate amount.
Prior to the vote, Supervisor Hernandez stated that he opposed to a cigarette tax in Washington County.
A voice vote was held, and the motion passed unanimously.
