Sales tax strikes again

It didn't take long today for GOM (Grumpy Old Man) to get himself embroiled in another sales tax controversy. An otherwise lovely breakfast at the Peterson Events Center was marred by a very puzzling development. A small coffee and a bagel, which I have purchased there probably well over a hundred times, usually costs $2.99. This morning I was charged $3.10, with 11 cents added on for sales tax. After I politely asked to talk to the manager, this as the explanation I received. Ordinarily, students and staff are not charged sales tax at the Events Center. However, since the cashier was new ( a nice grandmotherly type) and did not recognized GOM as a regular there and must have thought that I was just another grumpy old man off the street, she charged me sales tax. However, I pointed out to the manager that the sales tax I was charged amounted to between 3 and 4 percent of the purchase price, which does not correspond to any sales tax rate in our wonderful city, county, and state. At that point, he was just as confused as I was and said he'd look into it (fat chance of that happening). All you merchants out there beware - GOM, the sales tax sleuth, is on your case!