East Deer to discuss 5% amusement tax this week; decision could come as early as next month

An amusement tax in East Deer could be enacted as soon as February.

The township commissioners Thursday discussed the idea of establishing an amusement tax, in light of scheduled events at the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. facility.

Township officials plan to continue the discussion Thursday, said commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani. If the commissioners agree to move forward with it, they may take up the proposal for a vote in February, Taliani said.

Most municipalities with event venues or similar attractions implement an amusement tax. The fees typically are tacked on an admission charge to an event.

Locally, Frazer implements an amusement tax. So does the city of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer plans to hold a summer concert series this year; it also opened a distillery last fall.

The event venue could hold as many as 7,000 people, which will strain the township’s infrastructure and resources, Taliani said. That’s what prompted East Deer to look into implementing the tax, he said.

Commissioners reviewed a draft proposal of the ordinance during their meeting Thursday night. Solicitor Craig Alexander, who wrote the proposal, said the draft was tailored to East Deer and has elements of Erie’s and West Mifflin’s ordinances. West Mifflin is home to Kennywood.

The draft ordinance levies a 5% tax on admission fees to events. Event hosts must preregister with the township secretary before the event. Hosts then pay the tax to the township within 10 days of the event.

A brewery spokeswoman Wednesday said it is too early in the process to comment on the proposal.

Taliani said the proposal would be an “open process.”

“I’ve told (the brewery) once we have an ordinance that we’re going to be considering and looking at, we’re going to share it with them to look at it,” he said.

“They may have some recommendations, and they may be valid,” Taliani said. “It’s not like we’re trying to surprise them with anything. I told them ahead of time that we were considering this.”