Newport News council puts up to 1% sales-tax referendum for school construction on November ballot

The Newport News City Council voted July 14 to initiate a referendum asking voters whether the city may levy an additional local general retail sales-and-use tax at a rate not to exceed 1% to fund capital projects for construction or major renovation of city schools under §58.1-605.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Dr. Terry Best, chair of the Newport News School Board, told council that the revenue would provide a stable source to address aging school buildings and deferred maintenance. “If the referendum is approved by the voters, it will address our aging school buildings,” Dr. Best said, asking the council to include the question on the ballot.

Councilman Cleon Long described the gap as substantial, telling colleagues the city faces about $233,000,000 in deferred maintenance accumulated over roughly 15 years and called the referendum an opportunity for voters to make the final choice. The council voted to place the referendum on the November ballot; the motion carried 7–0.

The resolution that initiated the referendum asked that the question be presented to voters on the November ballot and cited the Code of Virginia authority that allows local sales taxes dedicated to school capital projects. The meeting record did not include a projected revenue estimate tied to the proposed rate nor a list of specific schools or projects that would be funded; council members said those planning details would be part of follow-up work and described the vote as giving citizens the opportunity to decide funding priorities.

Next steps will include final ballot language, staff estimates of expected revenues and outreach to explain what projects the proceeds would support; the transcript indicates the council expects to continue joint discussions with the school board to develop a funding plan.