The Camp Verde Town Council voted 6-1 to raise the town’s sales tax rate from 2 percent to 3 percent at its May 16 meeting.

The tax will still not apply to items such as food purchased at a grocery store.

The lone opposing vote to the tax proposal was cast by Mayor Bob Burnside, who has pointed out that a similar recent measure on the ballot was defeated by voters and that he didn’t feel the Town Council should impose higher taxes while many are going through trying economic times.

Councilwoman Carol German argued that the one-penny-per-dollar increase would have little serious impact on Camp Verde families and that much of the revenue generated would come from tourists and other out-of-towners stopping to buy things out at “hamburger junction.”

For the full story, see the Wednesday, May 23, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.