Taxes could increase at Tanger Outlet

FOLEY, Ala. - Workers at The Fudgery in the Tanger Outlet Mall spent Thursday pouring out chocolate for customers. Soon those customers may have to pour more change out of their pocket books.

City leaders say managers at Tanger are requesting the tax increase. They need more money for advertising.

Fudgery manager Sharon Roper doesn't think much about the increase because her customers love chocolate. "They are going to treat themselves to the small things," said Roper. "It's just more money out of your pocket, everything keeps costing more," said Shopper Vickie Freeman.

Shopper Willie Gregg has no problem with the proposal. "Times are different. We are going forward now, so we can't go back, we got to go forward," said Gregg.

The half-cent tax increase would go toward purchases at Tanger only and no other business in the city.

City leaders must still vote on the matter which is scheduled for next week, but increase or no increase, these workers hope their voices will get customers to buy anyway.

On another note in Foley, Mayor John Koniar says layoffs are off the table, at least for now.

City council members decided not to layoff any employees as originally anticipated earlier this year. Instead leaders hope to trim other parts of the budget, which Koniar says will be a challenge.