Bell : Casino Tax Cut Postponed

The Bell City Council has postponed action on a request by the California Bell Club to permanently lower the club’s tax rate to 8% of gross revenue. Club owners have requested the tax cut for a third time, saying it is necessary if they are to remain competitive with other Southeast Los Angeles County casinos.

The council discussed the issue Sept. 15 but postponed action until the club provided a full accounting of expenditures and profits. The council will take up the issue again Oct. 20, giving councilmen time in the interim to peruse documents provided by the club. Club officials maintain that the casino on Eastern Avenue is still burdened with debts.

The club previously paid city taxes based on a sliding scale, which ranged from 8% to 13%. The council gave the club temporary relief in August, 1985, and in April this year when it voted to keep the tax rate at a flat 8% for six months. The tax automatically reverts to the old sliding scale at the end of the six-month period.