CROWN POINT | Three Lake County councilmen said Thursday they will support imposition of a 1 percent tax on Lake County food and beverage sales.

Councilmen Ernie Dillon, D-Hammond, Jerome Prince, D-Gary, and Thomas O'Donnell, D-Dyer, told a council workshop session they want the $6 million the tax could generate to support public bus systems in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago and the rest of the county.

The County Council voted against a food and beverage tax three years ago, but officials say public transit is in danger of cuts because of state-mandated property tax cuts.

The food and beverage tax is scheduled to come up for formal debate at Tuesday's council meeting and possibly for the first of two votes needed for its adoption.

The tax needs four votes for approval and would need five to override a promised veto by the county commissioners.

O'Donnell said he is inviting officials from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority to discuss how the money would be spent. The RBA is proposing to take over the local bus services and create one regional entity.

Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, and Councilman Larry Blanchard, R-Crown Point, didn't take public positions on the subject. Councilwoman Elsie Franklin, D-Gary, wasn't present.

O'Donnell questioned whether public comment on the contentious topic is needed at the open of the tax debate.

Cid said South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority Chief Executive Officer Speros Batistatos wants to speak against the tax's use for public transit. Batistatos suggested funding a county convention center.