Despite legal questions, the City Council here is considering imposing a new tax on transactions involving x-rated videos.
Ward 3 Alderman Pat Baeske introduced a resolution last week asking the city to consider a tax on any transactions involving x-rated videos, whether it involves their rental or sale, the Belleville Democrat reported. The council voted 8-1 to move the resolution to the city’s Finance Committee for consideration.
At a council meeting last week, Baeske told his colleagues that he opposed the recent opening of the Pure Pleasure Megacenter and that he now favors the possibility of collecting taxes and other fees from such adult businesses.
But City Attorney Al Paulson told the council that he was unsure whether it was legal for the city to impose such a levy.
Baeske and fellow council members Gil Klein and Norm Miller voted against a temporary settlement that allowed Pure Pleasure to open at its 515 Lincoln Highway location recently. The city had claimed the business was in violation of zoning law.
The agreement between the city and the adult store’s owners is scheduled to expire in February. If the agreement is not extended or made permanent, the city and the store owners could take the issue to court.
The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Oct. 11.
