For the fourth consecutive year, the city of Maplewood is facing a deficit in its educational funding. The city council has suggested raising the funds needed by increasing the meals tax imposed on local eateries from 6 to 8.5 percent. While it is crucial to secure additional resources for Maplewood's schools, the city council's current strategy may not be well thought out. A considerable portion of Maplewood's restaurant customers are visitors, who will not benefit from enhancements to the schools in Maplewood.

Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the effectiveness of the city council's proposal to resolve the Maplewood school budget deficit by increasing the local meals tax?