FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County families are firing back with a new campaign to stop county leaders from implementing a Food Tax that residents voted against in 2016.

According to a press release from theFairfax Families and Workers Against the Food Tax organization, the group is launching what they call a “countywide advocacy campaign” to let Fairfax County supervisors know they do not want a meal tax.

This push comes after Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay and supervisors Dalia Palchik and Kathy Smith planned to request the county executive to produce a plan to implement a meals tax.

“This tax increase comes at a critical time for both Fairfax’s diners and restaurateurs,” said Waria Salhi, owner of Mezeh Mediterranean Grill. “Industry studies show that rising prices are driving customers away, forcing them to make tough choices about dining out. We’re also struggling with the impact of inflation.”

The possible tax on prepared foods could go up to 6% if county leaders move forward with the proposal.

That proposed meals tax plan is expected to be presented at the county’s Sept. 17 Budget Committee meeting with hopes that the board will put forward an ordinance for the possible tax to be brought up at a 2024 Board Meeting.

“As we look for additional tools to diversify our tax base, we cannot leave any in the toolbox,” McKay, Palchik and Smith told the board of supervisors in a letter. “We, therefore, as the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Budget Committee, ask the County Executive to come back to the Board at the September 17 Budget Committee meeting with all options for revenue diversification, including the implementation of a meals tax. Options for the meals tax should include: a range of 1-6% and subsequent revenue projections for each; comparisons with local meals taxes implemented in the region; the timeline and cost for implementation, including estimates for industry; and any restrictions on the use of revenue generated by the meals tax. Furthermore, we ask the County Executive to provide a draft community outreach strategy for potentially implementing the meals tax. As part of the timeline for implementation includes work with businesses, we expect restaurants and other businesses to be substantively included in the outreach process.”

7News learned the board of supervisors can pass the meals tax on their own, without voters, after the Virginia General Assembly allowed localities to adopt a meals tax without putting the proposal to voters in 2020.