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Gates County readies town hall and materials for quarter‑cent sales tax referendum to fund food programs
Summary
County clerks and the chair said educational brochures and a town hall will precede the March 3 ballot asking voters to approve a quarter‑cent sales tax dedicated to food insecurity programs; Chair Emily Truman explained the proposal’s intended focus and exclusions.
Gates County officials told residents the county will distribute educational materials and hold a town hall ahead of a March 3 primary vote on a proposed quarter‑cent sales tax that would fund food insecurity programs.
Renee Draper, clerk to the board, said a final brochure has been prepared for bulk printing and distribution and that educational materials and a QR code will be posted on the county website. Draper announced a town hall scheduled for Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m., with location to be determined, and said the board plans online Q&A and outreach to inform voters.
Chair Emily Truman described how the measure would be used. She said the county intends the revenue to prioritize child nutrition programs (free school meals), local food pantries and backpack ministries, and other food‑security efforts. "Essentially, if you spend $10,000 on sales in the county in a year, you're gonna have $25 go towards food insecurity," Truman said, noting that legally excluded categories include prescriptions, groceries, medications and gas.
Truman said the county will publish videos, Q&A materials and links on Facebook and the county website and asked staff to circulate event links to encourage public attendance. Officials emphasized the town hall will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and for the board to clarify how funds would be allocated; specific program budgets and any fiscal estimates beyond the per‑$10,000 example were not provided during the meeting.
