BLOOMINGTON ( 25News Now ) - Grocery shoppers in Bloomington will continue paying a 1% sales tax next year despite concerns that it impacts the working poor.

After a lengthy discussion and parliamentary maneuvers, the city council voted 6-3 to adopt a local grocery tax to replace the state tax that will be eliminated Jan. 1.

Sheila Montney from Ward 3, John Danenberger from Ward 4, and Mollie Ward from Ward 7 all voted no.

Ward noted the 1% tax means $2.00 for $200 of groceries. She said that’s a substantial amount for families facing financial struggles.

“For many people in our community, that’s a bus fare. It’s school supplies for their kids,” said Ward, who failed to gain enough support to cut the tax in half to 0.5%

City staffers said the tax generates about $3 million in needed

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