New 5% taxes on tickets to some sporting events and arts venues in Columbus will take effect Monday.

People who have bought or committed to buying tickets for events happening after July 1 have not had to pay the taxes, which can amount to a sizable savings.

Both the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Clippers have asked season-ticket holders about buying multiyear plans — up to seven years — to avoid paying extra tax. Those committing to plans before the taxes take effect don't have to pay them.

Meanwhile, opponents of the ticket taxes say they plan to submit close to 19,000 signatures to the Columbus City Council clerk's office July 8 to put a charter amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Through the ballot issue, they want to eliminate not only the new ticket taxes but also prevent the imposition of such taxes in the future. They have to collect at least 11,030 valid signatures of voters in order to get the amendment on the ballot.

One of the 5% taxes applies to tickets for performances and sporting events at venues with more than 400 seats — not including Nationwide Arena — and tickets that cost more than $10.

That tax is expected to raise an estimated $6 million a year for the Greater Columbus Arts Council to fund arts groups. None of that money will go to Nationwide Arena.

The second tax will be added to tickets for events at Nationwide Arena, such as Blue Jackets games and concerts, and is expected to raise an estimated $3 million a year. Of that, $2.4 million will go toward arena improvements. The other $600,000 will go to fixes at arts facilities such as COSI, the Columbus Museum of Art and the King Arts Complex.

Ohio State University and other college and high school athletic events are exempt from the tax.

Beth Brink, chief administrative officer for the Columbus auditor's office, said the taxes affect an estimated 125 to 150 vendors in Columbus. The auditor's office will collect the taxes.

The Columbus City Council adopted the tax package Dec. 10.

All 25 organizations that received grants from the Greater Columbus Arts Council are subject to the ticket tax. That list — found at https://www.gcac.org/press-release/greater-columbus-arts-council-approves-2019-operating-support-grants-totaling-3543398/ — includes the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, Columbus Children's Theatre, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, COSI and the Gateway Film Center.

Chris Hamel, president of the Gateway Film Center, said the center supports the fee because the revenue generated will be an investment in the arts community.

"We select and screen the best of international and American film while creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. I do not think our audience will be deterred by this modest fee," he said.

Local music promoter Bobby Ferguson, who produced the Summer 614 concert at Columbus Commons earlier this month, said he also supports the tax because it supports the arts.

"I think it is a great way to raise funds," Ferguson said.

But local sports agent Bret Adams, one of the leaders of the effort to put the charter amendment on the ballot, said he thinks there is a lot of opposition to the taxes, and that the anti-tax drive will have a lot of grass-roots support.

"We’re not going to let them get away," Adams said of tax backers. "We’re going to fact check everything they say. We’re not going to let them make statements that the arts will suffer or that funding will be cut."

The Blue Jackets are allowing fans to commit to buying tickets for up to seven years now, and the tax would not be applied to any of those tickets.

Todd Sharrock, Blue Jackets vice president of communications and team services, said through a spokeswoman that though it won't release specifics, the team is pleased with the response to the new multiyear season-ticket offering.

"Although this might seem new to the market, we had multiyear plans when we first launched the franchise, and a number of other markets successfully use them," Sharrock said. "Multiyear plans offer cost-certainty benefits with no cancellation penalty to fans, while clubs benefit from a more efficient renewal process."

The Clippers sent a letter to fans June 1 saying the tax could be avoided for up to seven years by a "signature commitment" to continue purchasing tickets. The team provided a seven-year outline of what ticket prices will be during that time.

"By signing this agreement, you go on record as making an 'obligation to purchase' moving forward, but are not contractually committed to this should you wish to cancel," the letter said. Only tickets of more than $10, including box, club and loge seats, are subject to the tax.

Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing, communications and events for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, said the taxes are "going to be a game-changer," significantly increasing the amount of grant money going to artists while providing money to support educational and free programs.

"The issue is our organizations don't have a sustainable model," Goldstein said.

Without the taxes, Columbus will be less competitive in attracting residents, businesses and visitors, she said.

Lisa Griffin, a spokeswoman for Protect Art 4 Columbus, a group of community residents and business people supporting the taxes, said supporters are meeting with individuals, organizations and businesses about financial support to oppose the charter amendment issue if it makes the ballot.

"The ticket fee is critical," Griffin said.

To find out more about the ticket taxes, go to: https://www.gcac.org/impact-of-the-arts/columbus-ticket-fee/

mferench@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik