Wmbg Council eyes 1.5% local meal tax hike, bringing total to 13.5%; owner opposes

Williamsburg City Council reviewed a budget proposal in April to increase the local meals tax by 1.5%, revised from an initial 2% proposal. This change would raise the local tax from 5% to 6.5%, potentially resulting in a 13.5% total meals tax including state taxes. Restaurant owner Mickey Chohany opposes the increase, stating businesses feel exploited and are already at tax saturation. The proposal comes despite a 2018 state law prohibiting local meals tax increases until January 1, 2026. City officials have previously discussed using increased revenue for tourism development.