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Annex Considers Temporary Meals Tax Rise to Back Aquatics Project
Town leaders outlined a one-point increase on the existing meals tax to cover costs for a new indoor pool and fitness center on acquired land.
How we reported this
The Annex is weighing a temporary one percent increase to its meals tax as the main way to pay for an indoor aquatics and fitness center on land the town bought after the Faith Baptist Church building came down.
Residents have asked for an indoor pool for years, including during earlier work on the community center, yet space and money limited options then. The recent purchase opened a direct path to meet that demand, and the council turned to a funding tool already in use locally rather than new sources.
Tax Details and Timeline
The town currently collects three percent on meals and proposes raising that to four percent for a set decade under the ordinance now before the council. The increase would end after ten years unless extended by a future vote, though earlier sunset remains possible if a capital campaign brings in outside money. Finance staff presented the mechanics during the November town hall, noting the state limits available tax options for the municipality.
Outreach on the site has run for months, with mailed notices, surveys stretching back decades, and staff presentations on both the facility and the tax plan. Parks and recreation staff tracked resident input that consistently pointed to an indoor pool once the property became available.
Next Steps for Residents
A formal public hearing is scheduled for November, where the council will take comments before any vote. The recent town hall recording posted by the Town of Vienna on YouTube shows staff ready to answer questions on costs, the ten-year window, and how the center would operate once built. Residents can review project updates at the town site listed in the meeting notice.