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Waynesboro council moves to put 1% local sales tax for school construction before voters
Summary
After staff outlined how a local 1% sales-and-use tax could fund school capital projects, the council voted 5–0 to initiate a referendum asking voters to approve adding up to 1% to support school construction and renovation; legal clarifications were handled in closed session beforehand.
The Waynesboro City Council voted unanimously on July 13 to initiate a referendum asking voters whether to add a local 1% retail sales-and-use tax dedicated to school capital construction and renovation.
Staff explained that the 2026 Virginia Biennial Budget Act expanded authority to allow cities and counties to levy an additional local sales-and-use tax of up to 1% specifically for school capital. The presentation noted that the new levy would exclude certain items—staff cited Virginia Code Section 58.1-6111.1 for exemptions for food purchased for human consumption and essential hygiene products—and that staff is working with the commissioner of revenue to estimate how exemptions would affect net revenue. Staff also said the tax could be used to cover debt service on a high-school renovation provided the debt is issued after the tax is adopted.
Council discussed timing and legal points; staff requested a closed-session consultation with counsel for clarifications. After returning to open session and certifying the closed meeting, council adopted a motion to consider a resolution initiating a referendum; the roll-call vote was 5–0 in favor.
If adopted by voters, the levy would be implemented by ordinance and would be subject to statutory exemptions described during the presentation; staff will return with precise legal language and the proposed ballot question.
