Minutes 02/24/1959 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 24th, 1959. 59-58 - The following communication from the Portsmouth Theatre Association was read: "It is requested thaz you examine the taxes imposed by the City of Portsmouth upon the motion picture theatres and give your every .~onsideration to our plea that our tax burden be brought to equality with those of other businesses. The City of ~ortsmouth mmposes upon the theatres two discriminatory ~axes.They are: 1. The admission zax. This is a sales ~ax, which, in effecl, is a 10% tax on gross receipts. Other businesses bear no comparable tax. 2. The license tax. The rate applied to theatres is Inconsistent with that applied to other businesses. The theatres are charged a high flat rate plus an additional amounz for each seat in the theatre. Th~xeis no consideration given to gross re - ceipts. Other businesses are raxed on gross receipts only. It is our plea that the admissions tax be rescinded and the license tax be changed to a rate consistent with that charged other businesses. Compared with other business enterprises, the theatres bear a highly disportionate tax burden. These zaxes have always been discriminatory. Under the present economic circumstances of the motion pic- ture theatres, rinse ~axes may well prove to be ruinous. The theatres do no~ ask that they be relieved of fair and equitable taxation. They are, and always have been, willing to bear their fair share of the tax burden. We do ask relief from the special discriminatory taxes for which we have been singled out. Your early consideration to our plea is urgently requested. Should you so desire, the owmers and managers of the theatres mn Portsmouth will he glad zo meet with Council, in conference, zo discuss our plea. (Signed) Sol Soroko, Pres." Motion~of Mr. Breedlove ~o refer to a budget conferenceof the Council, was adopted, withou~ dissenting vo~e. On motion adjourned. City Clerk. ADproved - President.