The collective decision has been made to withdraw House Bill 1236 — the proposed food and beverage tax — from consideration. Over the past two weeks, our team has received feedback from our residents and local business community, some in support of the tax and others not. Given the wide array of comments, we know it’s in the City’s best interest to not pursue the tax.
The Indiana General Assembly’s role in this process is one that gives the petitioning municipality the ability to adopt a local ordinance to enact the funding source. The actual decision to adopt the tax is made at the local level.
Currently, there are 39 communities around the State that have adopted a food and beverage tax, with approvals dating back to the 1980s. The aim was to help provide an additional funding source for the local projects listed in the bill and to assist in enhancing the level of tourism opportunities, both of which are the only identified uses of the funds and cannot be changed.
Each and every person has the absolute right to have a say in how they spend their money and where they spend it. Everyone works hard for the money they earn, so whether you are willing to spend 10 cents on a $10 purchase, 50 cents on a $50 purchase or $1 on a $100 prepared food and beverage purchase, it should, of course, be up to the individual. No one should be made to feel like they are doing something wrong if they do or do not support the tax.
Two areas the mayor heard the most comments and questions about were the parking and non-city owned properties — the historic Lake County Courthouse and Old Jail. For those who visit our great downtown square and certainly for the businesses located there, the creation of additional parking areas is always a priority.
The City has worked over the past years on expanding street parking, expanding and enhancing existing parking lots and also constructing new parking. Our square has emerged over the past decade or so with such great and unique establishments, and it is a draw for our residents and those who make the trip from elsewhere to see it, all of which benefit these businesses. The fact that the creation of more parking areas is needed speaks to the quality of businesses we have in Crown Point and how our City is a destination in the Region. The City is fully committed to continuing to enhance parking.
While it is true that the historic Lake County Courthouse and Old Jail are not city-owned properties, they are an incredibly vital part THE Beautiful Crown Point’s rich history. Both entity’s leadership teams continue to do a great job in maintaining the sites and thinking of ways to help generate funds to make them a destination people want to visit, however, both require millions of dollars.
The City’s commitment to each would have been to assist the respective boards with fixed funding to help them in their efforts; their success is the City’s success. We have a unique and great City. We have the absolute best business community anywhere in Northwest Indiana for what they provide for all of us and the Region. Myself and the City will continue to partner with them on doing whatever we can to help in their continued success.
Peter D. Land
Mayor, City of Crown Point
MORE CROWN POINT RELATED ARTICLES . . .
New to the Lake County Fair, Live Concerts in the Showcase Tent
Get ready for something brand new at this year’s Lake County Fair!Dust off your dancing boots and head to the Showcase Tent for an exciting lineup of live concerts. Taylor Swift fans—don’t forget to rock your favorite Red Era look! Best of all, these concerts are completely FREE and feature some of the area’s most renowned…
Barktoberfest – Lowell Indiana
Barktoberfest is a Dog & family friendly event. Demonstrations and dog costume contest all kinds of vendors. This is a fundraiser for relay for life Freedom Park Bark Park and the Lowell Woman’s Club scholarship fund. Also collecting for tots give away. Event takes place Saturday, October 4th, 2025, 9AM – 2:30 PM.
Continue Reading . . .
Lake County Fair Gears up for All-Breed Classic Open Horse show
The highly anticipated Lake County Fair is just five months away, and preparations are in full swing! This year’s fair will take place from August 1st-10th, 2025, promising an unforgettable experience filled with entertainment, agriculture, and community fun.One of the highlights of the fair, the All-Breed Classic Open Horse Show, will take place August 1st, 2nd, &…
Lake County Fair Kick Off Party with Russell Dickerson And Niko Moon – Thur July 31, 2025
Lake County Fair is offering an unforgettable night of live music featuring Russell Dickerson and Niko Moon as their first ever Kick-Off party!. This Electrifying event will be held on Thursday, July 31st, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Indiana. Setting the tone for an exciting Fair Week, these chart-topping country…
Gavin Adcock performing in Crown Point in June 2025
Hometown Jams is proud to announce that rising country star Gavin Adcock will take the stage at Bulldog Park on Friday, June 13th, 2025. This highly anticipated performance promises an evening of electrifying music, unforgettable memories, and community celebration. Gavin Adcock, known for his soulful voice and authentic storytelling, is quickly becoming a standout name…
Crown Point’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Coming March 17th, 2025
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held at dusk Monday, March 17, in the downtown square. This is the original lighted, nighttime parade in Northwest Indiana! Come enjoy the Irish festivities and listen to the Pipes and Drums bagpipe players while they lead the parade. Food and retail vendors will be set up on…
Shipshewana On the Road Coming to Crown Point, Indiana
Shipshewana On the Road is coming to Crown Point Indiana on the Saturday May 3rd 2025 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, May 4th, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point Indiana.
How about a day of shopping for the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun? For the past two decades Shipshewana On The Road Gift, Food and Craft Show has brought the most interesting, most innovative,
Lake County Boat Show – Crown Point Indiana
Are you yearning for summer fun? Get in on the action at the Lake County Boat Show. Find the newest and latest info on Pontoons, Personal Watercraft, Jet skis, Inboards, Runabouts, Fishing Boats, Canoes, Kayaks, and more! The Lake County Fairgrounds, under the jurisdiction of Lake County Commissioners, offers an array of activities and events…
Gavin Adcock performing in Crown Point in June 2025
Hometown Jams is proud to announce that rising country star Gavin Adcock will take the stage at Bulldog Park on Friday, June 13th, 2025. This highly anticipated performance promises an evening of electrifying music, unforgettable memories, and community celebration. Gavin Adcock, known for his soulful voice and authentic storytelling, is quickly becoming a standout name…
MORE THINGS TO DO IN CROWN POINT
Crown Point’s Soccer Olympian Casey Krueger Given a Welcome Home Parade
Crown Point families, neighbors and friends were very excited to celebrate a home town hero. Olympic gold in Woman’s soccer recipient, Casey Krueger of Crown Point, Indiana had a homecoming celebration in her honor. Casey along with her son Caleb and husband Cody, were welcomed back from Paris, France with a parade and the town…
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
