Virginia Beach City Council approved the budget Tuesday and one unpopular hike: the meals tax increase.
Councilmember Barbara Henley introduced a motion to delay the meals tax increase until January so restaurants wouldn’t be hit with the tax in the middle of tourist season. The new budget goes into effect July 1.
The motion failed and the budget passed 10-1, with Henley’s lone vote against it.
Amber Kostka, co-owner of The Stockpot, an Oceanfront staple, wants cities to stop viewing restaurants as untapped revenue sources.