MT: Big Sky considers taxing convenience store alcohol
by Larisa Casillas
May 22, 2019
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Buying a beer or wine at the corner convenience store in Big Sky could soon cost people more.
Already when dining in Big Sky any alcohol consumed is taxed. Those taxes go towards the Resort Tax Fund, which last year totaled more than $8 million.
Now the board of directors is considering taxing convenience store alcohol, like the kind you can pick up at gas stations and grocery stores.
Kevin Germain, the resort tax board chair emphasized that this would not be a new tax, just an extension of the existing one.
The existing tax is 3 percent, making a $10 six-pack go up by 30 cents and a $20 bottle of wine go up by 60 cents.
The managers at Roxy’s Market say it’s a small price to pay.
“We support anything in Big Sky that’s going to help stimulate the economy,” said Josh Treasure.
As established in the ordinance, the money from the resort tax goes toward infrastructure and emergency management in Big Sky.
“It’s going to stimulate the economy more and allow the roadways to be spread out and infrastructure to be put in place to be able to have the same growth patterns that we had this recent season. If we don’t do this we won’t be able to continue on the growth pattern that we’re on,” he added.
His colleague TJ Toponce agreed.
“I think this season brought to light a lot of things we could benefit from with regards to infrastructure,” said Toponce.
But not all consumers agree, and some speculate it could lead to people bringing in their own alcohol from neighboring Bozeman.
Still the ordinance will be up for review this summer.
It can’t be amended without at least two public hearings. According to Germain- the first will be on June 3, followed by a second one in July.