Gainesville City Council voted Tuesday on an agreement with other local governments that will allow them to collect a 2 percent sales tax from local manufacturers on their energy use. State lawmakers, seeking ways to attract more industry, decided earlier this year to phase out the tax over a four-year period. If local governments charge the excise tax, manufacturers will still stop paying the 4 percent sales tax on their energy use that once went to the state.
Gainesville City Council approves excise tax agreement
