Our speaker this week is Leo Suskin Shelburne Finance Committee: Local Option Tax
Carrie called the meeting to order at 8:30.
Carrie led us in the four way test.
Guests Jason Schnoor, Assistant District Governor, Lee Suskin, Shelburne Finance Committee, speaker.
Carrie met with the District Governor, Caroline Earle who requested that our club designate someone as a social media correspondent for the district. There is grant money for the district to support this initiative. Caroline also asked our club to send a date of an event that is impactful, for which she’ll send a professional photographer to photograph for the district. What would this event be for our club? The golf ball drop, the halloween parade and the CSH community tent are all great choices! More discussion is required to decide!
Carrie mentioned the Casino Night success even with light attendance. Feedback for our club was great and sparked a pop up meeting discussion for the town of Hinesburg once again. A show of hands indicated interest and it will be planned for late September at The Public House.
Shelburne Day is coming up on August 20, Dan is our point person for volunteer management.
Bob shared that The Golf ball drop sales are slow at this point but every member has been requested to sell twenty balls at the very least.
Linda Gilbert indicated she is all set for corn inventory on Shelburne Day and is also looking for volunteers. Hands to Honduras will be the recipient from the donations.
Rick stated October 30 is the 2022 Halloween Parade. Save the date! Float voting will be done on social media this year and is hoped to spark interest.
Eric Axelrod and Wood 4 Good is organizing a Rotary volunteer day at his place of business. The date will be announced soon.
Charlotte Central School does need lunch serving volunteers every day for the fall!
Denis collected the happy fees.
Diana introduced Lee Suskin. Graduated from college in 1972 and moved to Vermont in 1976. He did work for the State of Vermont and has been working for the town of Shelburne for thirteen years.
Lee wants to educate us on the proposal for a local option tax. A local option tax would be 1% on top of Vermont state taxes. The LOT is geared toward sales of goods, retail goods and food.
Goals for the LOT:
- Reduce reliance on property taxes for current and future needs. Reliance.
- Diversify and expand other town revenue sources.
- Provide future funding for voter approved infrastructure needs.
Seventy percent will be kept by Shelburne, and thirty percent will be retained by the State of Vermont. The LOT is administered by the state of Vermont and is based on location.
Many goods are exempted, similar to what the State exempts.
Projected earnings is roughly one million dollars per year with a substantial amount coming from online sales.
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum and the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory are very large tourist destinations, these tourists utilize our town services. Shelburne residents pay the LOT in other local towns as well.
This tax will require a town charter change and would hopefully be on the ballot in March.
“The Economics Book” by Niall Kishtainy will be donated to The Pierson Library in Shelburne in Lee’s name.
Carrie adjourned the meeting at 8:30.