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Sumner County clears way for Portland to seek local‑option sales tax referendum
Summary
The legislative committee approved a resolution allowing the City of Portland to put a local‑option sales tax increase on its ballot; legal staff said the resolution is written to limit an increase to the municipality and not raise countywide taxes.
Sumner County commissioners approved a resolution enabling the City of Portland to place a local‑option sales tax referendum before its voters.
Commissioners discussed whether a municipal referendum would affect county taxes. Legal counsel and the chairman said the resolution was written to permit a municipality‑specific referendum and would not automatically increase countywide tax rates. The motion approved sending the 2020 resolution language back onto the floor as another referendum request; commissioners said the same proposal had failed in a prior referendum.
A motion to approve the resolution in its original packet form was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee recorded that the resolution sought only authority to place the question on a municipal ballot; if Portland voters approve, the municipal rate would change for residents within Portland’s boundaries, not automatically for the entire county.
Commissioners directed the item forward; the motion passed by voice vote and will proceed through county channels as requested by the city.
