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The tax on admissions to Rockbridge County attractions was reduced Monday by the Board of Supervisors from 10 to 6 percent and a cap of $3 per admission was eliminated.
At a public hearing on the tax changes prior to the supervisors taking action, Spencer McElroy, executive director of Lime Kiln Theater, said removing the cap would hurt the non-profit theater.
“Eliminating the cap would change our season pass tax significantly, from $3 to $18,” said McElroy. “That’s a pretty big jump. And those are predominantly local people that buy those passes. The goal was to collect the tax from folks who come from out of town.” He suggested that non-profits ought to be exempt from the tax. “Reducing the tax pressure helps us be competitive in a very competitive space. I think the tax should be fairly and equitably applied,” he said. “I’m asking for fair and equitable application and recognition for who it affects.”
Supervisor Dan Lyons said the tax as it applies to businesses and nonprofits is and would continue to be monitored regularly and would be subject to future changes as warranted. It’s his understanding, he said, that Lime Kiln’s season tickets for the upcoming season would be sold out before the changes to the tax take effect, which is 30 days after Monday’s action.
A motion by Lyons to implement the changes to the tax was seconded by Jay Lewis and adopted by a 5-0 vote.
