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Commissioners hear outreach plan for a quarter‑cent local sales tax referendum
Summary
Commissioner Shields and outreach volunteer Eric Haggard described a public‑education campaign for a local 0.25% sales tax referendum on the November ballot, including ballot wording, who pays the tax, allowable uses and planned community outreach.
Commissioner Shields (S2) and volunteer Eric Haggard (S9) presented an educational overview of a proposed local sales and use tax increase of one quarter of a penny (0.25%) that would appear on the November ballot subject to voter approval.
Haggard summarized the statutory mechanism and explained the ballot language that voters will see: "Local sales and use tax at the rate of 1 quarter percent (0.25%), in addition to all other state and local sales and use taxes. Macon County voters will vote to decide whether they want to approve this tax or not." He emphasized that foundational exemptions (groceries, prescriptions, many medical items) apply and that visitors and nonresidents who shop in county businesses would contribute revenue.
Staff and volunteers said the projected annual revenue would be roughly $2.2–$2.3 million and outlined potential spending categories — capital improvements, public safety, schools, infrastructure, senior services and community centers — consistent with enabling statute and past local referenda. Shields said the group plans community outreach (Rotary, fire stations, social media) and a Facebook page and QR code to distribute educational materials.
Speakers framed the effort as an opportunity to keep more economic activity local and to fund capital priorities that the county has discussed for years. The presentation was informational; no board vote on the referendum was taken at the meeting.
