Westminster : Council Delays Decision on Proposed Theater Tax

A decision on a proposed 5% theater admission tax was postponed indefinitely this week by the City Council after theater owners and residents spoke out against the plan.

The council vote was 3 to 1, with Mayor Joy Neugebauer dissenting. Neugebauer said she wanted to reconsider the matter at the next council meeting when all five members are present. Vice Mayor Chuck Smith was absent.

Jim Edwards and Harold Davidson of Edwards Cinema and Dan Chernov of Pacific Theatres told the council that the tax, which would be used to alleviate the city’s budget deficit, would be ruinous for the movie business in Westminster. And residents Marty Grimm and Diane Wireman said the tax would pose an unfair burden, causing moviegoers to seek entertainment elsewhere.