Luray considering meals tax after county voters passes new levy

November 27, 1991 — The Luray Town Council’s decision to explore a meals tax appears to have delayed the county’s action for the time being.

On Election Day, a county meals tax referendum passed 2,833 to 2,797. A week later, the Luray council voted, 6-0, to have Town Attorney John R. Bushey Jr. draw up an ordinance which would allow the town to levy such a tax.

At a special meeting Nov. 18, the council voted, 3-2, against William P. Menefee’s motion that the town discontinue consideration of the meals tax.

With 19 restaurants and a half-dozen or so convenience stores, a good percentage of the $500,000 a county meals tax is estimated to generate yearly would come from Luray. Unlike the county, the town does not need voter approval for a meals tax.

Luray Town Councilman Philip Harrell noted at last week’s special meeting that the supervisors have known for three years that the town was considering its own meals tax.

~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier