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Taylor County commissioners send 1/2-cent school sales surtax to November ballot
Summary
After a public hearing, the Taylor County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to place a proposed one-half cent school capital outlay sales surtax on the November 3, 2026 ballot. School leaders said the measure would raise roughly $1.8$2 million a year for facilities, buses and safety upgrades.
The Taylor County Board of County Commissioners voted April 21 to place a proposed one-half cent school capital outlay sales surtax on the November 3, 2026 ballot, after hearing a public presentation from the county school system and public comment.
Superintendent (speaking to the board) said the measure is needed because "capital outlay funds generated from property taxes are very insufficient for our school district" and detailed shortfalls in transportation and facility funding. He told commissioners the current capital outlay budget of $2,278,000 "is not enough," and estimated the sales surtax would generate roughly $1.8 to $2 million annually for the district.
School board member Jeannie Matis and finance director Lacy Moneyham described the district's fiscal position, including a recent clean audit and a 13% general fund balance. Moneyham clarified how the proposal would change the sales rate, saying the countys current combined sales rate (7%) would become 7.5% if the referendum passes.
During the public hearing, resident W. David Pulk urged the board to "send it to a referendum and let the people speak," saying the surtax would spread the burden beyond property owners to visitors who shop and travel through the county. Another resident, Dan Simmons, urged caution, noting local economic stresses, population loss and the effect of sales taxes on low-income families; he recommended seeking state and federal funding as an alternative.
Commissioner Newman moved to place the question on the ballot and Commissioner Moody seconded. The motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Feele, Demps, English, Moody and Newton recorded as voting yes. Chair emphasized that the vote does not impose the tax; it authorizes placement of the question for voters to approve or reject in November.
If approved by a majority of Taylor County voters, the surtax would run for 10 years, take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and be dedicated to capital outlay uses set forth in the school boards plan, including facility renovation, safety and security improvements, technology, transportation and related costs. The ordinance text read into the record also requires independent citizens oversight and annual audits of surtax funds.
The school district and county will continue outreach to explain the ballot language and the planned uses of any revenue, and the board directed staff to proceed with placing the question on the November ballot.
