MOUNT CARBON - With mixed votes Tuesday night, the borough council adopted an amusement tax requiring any organization hosting and selling tickets to entertainment events staged in the community to give up 10 percent of its admission rates if tickets are $10 or more.
Michael W. Glauda and his wife, Deborah A., who co-own Goodfella's Entertainment Complex at 1105 S. Centre St., and a concert promoter from Minersville, Corey Jahmal Mike, talked to the borough council for more than 40 minutes over their concerns.
In particular, they said they had already started selling tickets for three shows, to be held on April 18, April 25 and May 24. And asked if those shows could be exempt from the tax.
After talking with borough solicitor Chris Riedlinger by phone, Mount Carbon Mayor Jeffrey J. Dunkel suggested the council consider that option.
The motion to approve the ordinance to enact the amusement tax with that exception was made by Councilman John McCord and seconded by Councilwoman Michelle Stephenson. Councilwoman Jennifer Raess voted against it. And council President Harry Haughney abstained, since he owns a pub in the borough which could be subject to the tax, Julian's Tavern at 874 S. Centre St. But he doubted he'd ever have to pay it: "I don't think I ever charged $10 for anything."
"The purpose of this ordinance is the raising of general revenue," according to the ordinance.
The Glaudas asked if fundraisers at Goodfella's would be subject to the tax. Dunkel referred them to "Section 5. Exceptions," which states the tax would not be imposed on charitable events.
However, Dunkel said the borough would have to approve those exceptions on a case by case basis. At its next meeting, 7 p.m. April 8, the council may designate a representative to deal with such matters, if venues and organizations need approvals between scheduled borough council meetings.
The borough council also approved an ordinance requiring organizations planning to hold entertainment events in the community to buy an "amusement permit," $10 per year if more than one event is planned or $25 per year if only one event is planned, according to Raess.
The motion to enact the amusement permit was made by McCord and seconded by Stephenson. Raess voted against it, and Haughney abstained.
It requires "all organizers of amusements within the borough to obtain a permit" and violators could face fines from $100 to $1,000. Emergency service providers who stage amusements are exempt, according to the ordinance.