Bridgeport to Impose Local Sales Tax Under Home Rule

 Bridgeport’s City Council has approved 1 percent local sales tax to finance construction and operation of a proposed indoor recreation facility.

The new tax will go into effect on July 1, 2016.

The Exponent Telegram reports that the council voted on Monday to impose the tax under the state’s home rule program. The program shifts power from the state to the local level.

The city also is repealing its business and occupation tax on manufacturing. The home rule program requires cities that impose a municipal sales tax to reduce business and occupation taxes.

Bridgeport is one of the home rule program’s charter municipalities. Twenty-eight municipalities are now participating in the program, which was created by the Legislature in 2007.