Bite stings worse for some people

Amanda Crane and Matt Simpson

Council Bluffs native Amanda Crane and fiance Matt Simpson are getting married May 21. They plan a reception at the Scott Conference Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

With 580 guests at roughly $22 a plate, Crane and Simpson are looking at spending $12,760 on food alone. That doesn't include drinks — Crane said she's been told to plan on an additional $3,500 to $7,000 for alcohol.

With an already hefty catering bill, Crane and Simpson will spend at least an extra $400 because of Omaha's new 2.5 percent tax on restaurant, bar and catering tabs. In fact, because sales tax applies to the city's new restaurant tax, the couple will pay at least an extra $28 in state and local sales tax.

“Planning the wedding has been a lot of fun, but it's been an eye-opener,” Crane said. “We knew the wedding was going to be expensive. When you add the tax on, it's something to think about when you're thinking about the type of dinner you want to provide.”

Nonetheless, they have no plans to move their reception.

“We knew we wanted to get married in Omaha,” Crane said. “It's our new home.”

They bought a house near 96th and Q Streets, just outside the Ralston and Omaha city limits.

The couple won't be affected by Omaha's property tax hike, but the wheel tax hike will affect them. The rate had been $35 for cars. They each now will pay the $50 rate, for a total of $30 extra.

Estimated total tax impact: at least $460

Vera Klose and G Harris III

Vera Klose and her husband, G Harris III, live near 103rd and Monroe Streets. Their house is valued at $216,200, according to the Douglas County Assessor's Office.

The Omaha couple currently pays more than $4,400 a year in property taxes. The 2.3-cent hike in city property tax will add about $50 onto that yearly bill.

Klose and Harris also will pay $15 more in city wheel tax for each of their cars.

Klose isn't too bothered by the increases.

“You know, if it keeps the city afloat and gets us out of these problems, then yeah, I'm OK,” Klose said. “I enjoy the city's benefits, so I feel like I have to pay.”

Klose said she and Harris budget $150 a month to dine out. Starting next month, the restaurant tax will add $3.75 to that amount, or $45 a year. Sales taxes will add a few dollars more as well.

“To me, that (restaurant) tax doesn't bother me,” Klose said. “If I can afford to eat out, I can afford the tax. Eating out is a privilege, not a right.”

Estimated total tax impact: $125

Terri Powley

Powley, who lives in Missouri Valley, Iowa, is angry about Omaha's tax increases, especially the new $50 wheel fee for commuters.

She works as a supervisor at a company near 90th Street and West Dodge Road, and she says she already spends $80 a week on gas to drive the 40 miles daily between her job and home.

Powley believes the wheel fee is unfair.

“I already spend my money in Omaha on goods and services,” she said.

Finding a job closer to home is not an option, she said.

Powley said she and her boyfriend, son and daughter-in-law normally eat out in Omaha about three times a month, spending about $75 per visit. Sometimes they go out for drinks, which she said adds $20 or so.

Powley also said she spends $10 on lunch in Omaha twice a week and shops in Omaha for clothing and other items.

Based on her current dining habits, the new restaurant tax would cost Powley about $9 a month, or more than $100 a year. Sales taxes collected on the restaurant tax will add an additional $7 to that amount.

Powley vowed to end those excursions once the restaurant tax takes effect Oct. 1.

“I will never shop or eat in Omaha again,” said Powley, who said she'll start taking her lunch to work more often. “I will keep my money in Council Bluffs going forward.”

Estimated total tax impact: $50 to about $160, depending on whether she stops dining in Omaha

World-Herald staff writer Paul Goodsell contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com

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