CROWN POINT | The Lake County Council has scheduled a debate next week on adopting a 1 percent county sales tax for restaurant and bar purchases.

Councilman Thomas O'Donnell, D-Dyer, has placed an ordinance establishing a food and beverage tax on the seven-member board's Tuesday agenda.

O'Donnell wants the estimated $6 million to be raised by the additional tax to be used to keep buses -- sponsored by municipalities and nonprofit agencies -- running this year.

He said state-mandated property tax cuts threaten what already is limited public transportation in the region.

The council voted down a similar tax proposed in 2005. O'Donnell said he realizes any new tax would be a contentious issue and doesn't expect the council to approve the tax ordinance in one action next week.

"I think we have to talk about it," O'Donnell said.

Such a tax has no support among the three members of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, who would have to approve of any new tax the council enacts.

Commissioners Fran DuPey, D-Hammond, and Gerry Scheub, D-Schererville, vowed last month they would veto a food and beverage ordinance.