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Board authorizes petition for 1% local sales‑tax referendum to fund school construction
Summary
Prince Edward County supervisors voted to initiate the process to place a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot asking voters to authorize up to a 1% local sales-and-use tax to fund school capital projects including the high school, middle and elementary schools and CTE renovations; staff outlined statutory steps and deadlines for the ballot question.
The Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a resolution and file a petition with the circuit court to place a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot asking voters to authorize an additional local sales‑and‑use tax of up to 1% for school capital projects.
School Superintendent Chip Jones told the board the tax would be a voter choice, not an immediate imposition of a tax, and that revenue from out‑of‑county shoppers helps fund capital improvements. "This is not a vote to enact a tax. It's simply a vote to allow the citizens to vote on this referendum," Jones said.
Parent and community advocate Justin Pope and other supporters described bipartisan backing in Richmond and cited neighboring counties that used the tool to finance school construction and renovations.
County staff walked the board through the statutory steps under Virginia Code to hold the referendum: identify capital projects to be funded; adopt a resolution initiating the referendum; obtain a circuit‑court order calling the referendum (court order must be entered by 2026‑08‑14 for a November 3 election); publish notice in a newspaper for three consecutive weeks; assure ballots are available for absentee voting at least 45 days before the election (by 2026‑09‑19); and, if the measure passes, adopt an ordinance imposing the tax and, if desired, a corresponding use tax.
The board approved the resolution and authorized filing the petition. The motion carried after roll‑call; one member recorded a 'no' vote but the measure passed.
What this means: If the circuit court order is entered and voters approve the question in November, the board would later adopt an ordinance specifying purpose, expiration and effective date and forward certified copies to tax commissioners as required by state code.
