Bowling Green votes to raise occupational tax for the first time in over 15 years

Business owners, what does this mean for you?

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In a 3-2 vote, Bowling Green City commissioners have decided to raise the city occupational tax.

Bowling Green business owners, this means you’ll be seeing a 0.15 percent occupational tax increase beginning January of next year.

This binding vote carries great weight for the city, seeing as Bowling Green’s last occupational tax raise took place over 15 years ago.

“Back in 2007, our occupational tax rate was 2 percent,” explained City Commissioner Sue Parrigin, who voted yes to raising the occupational tax. “The commission then voted to lower that to 1.85 percent. Our city staff has lived with that decision for over 15 years now. We are riding the ship, going back to 2 percent which is .15 percent of every penny increase. It’s very minimal.”

This was a vote that had commissioners and meeting attendees split down the middle.

City Commissioner Carlos Bailey, who voted no to the tax raise said, “Right now, I cannot in good conscience raise a tax on people who are facing high grocery rates, high medical bills, high rent prices, because I feel like that’s going to hurt them at some point…. Also, with the jobs that still haven’t been filled [which would eventually bring more occupational tax dollars], I feel like that we can basically put off having that tax.”

Parrigin, on the other hand, explained, “I’m voting yes to ensure the future of our public safety institutions here in the city of Bowling Green and the safety of our citizens so we can continue to grow and prosper.”

Parrigin says there are no plans to continuously raise the occupational tax in the near future.