Anniston considering increase in Gas Tax

The city of Anniston is considering raising taxes on local gasoline stations to fund street projects. The City Council is considering  imposing a 2 cents-per-gallon-sold tax on city gasoline retailers. City officials say the tax would bring Anniston in line with taxes imposed by most cities in Calhoun County. The tax would also generate additional money for more street repair and maintenance work.  City Manager Brian Johnson said the council will likely vote on the tax at their next meeting Monday.  Johnson said the tax has actually been part of the city's ordinances for decades. However, at some point in the 1980s, the city decided to wave the tax for gas retailers in Anniston. In lieu of the annual tax, retailers instead were required to pay a one-time business license fee based on their number of gasoline pumps. The license fee is $40 for the first pump and about $18 for each additional pump.