Meals Tax Increase Reaffirmed With Revote By Vienna Town Council

VIENNA, VA — The meals tax increase in the Town of Vienna got a final vote by Town Council Monday to meet a requirement on advertising adoption.

On Aug. 25, Vienna Town Council voted 6-1 to increase the meals tax rate from 3 percent to 4 percent on Jan. 1, 2026. The matter had been deferred from January for further consideration. However, Town Council's deferral on Jan. 27 did not include directing the town clerk to advertise a notice of intent to adopt, a requirement for the approval. That required Town Council to do a second reading on Monday. The Town Council advertised intent to adopt at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Monday's vote also directed the town clerk to share the required notice of adoption.

Councilmember Sandra Allen was the lone vote against the meals tax increase.

"We should have just kept it as it was. We would have had more people coming to Vienna," said Allen. "Now, I think the impact is going to be felt in a couple of ways. People not coming to Vienna or the residents not buying food that is premade or going to restaurants. It's already expensive here."

Mayor Linda Colbert responded by saying the meals tax is optional for residents, unlike the real estate tax.

"There is no data that says that revenue will decrease and that people will stop going to dinner," said Colbert.

The meals tax increase approved by Town Council does not include a sunset date, which had been discussed to fund a proposed fitness center and indoor pool. On Aug. 25, an amendment introduced by Councilmember Jessica Ramakis to sunset the 4 percent rate on Dec. 31, 2035 and return to the 3 percent rate in 2036 failed 3-4.

The meals tax increase was originally discussed to fund construction of a fitness center and pool at the town's annex property (301 Center Street South). But since January, Fairfax County made plans for its own 4 percent meals tax starting on Jan. 1, 2026. Fairfax County's new meals tax will not apply in the Town of Vienna.

Town Council had also learned about funding needs for existing capital projects, including those in the final parks master plan. A vote on the latest capital improvement plan is planned on Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Vienna Town Hall, 217 Center Street South.

The town had released details on the proposed fitness center and pool but has not committed to that use. The fitness center and pool had been identified as a top resident preference for the annex during outreach by the town's parks and recreation.