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Council approves petition to put 1% school-capital sales-tax question on November ballot
Summary
Council voted to petition the circuit court to order a November 3 referendum asking voters to authorize up to 1% local retail sales tax to fund new school construction or major renovations; staff said proceeds are restricted to capital projects and the tax would expire after 20 years if enacted.
Council unanimously approved a resolution directing staff to file a petition with the circuit court to place a question on the November 3 ballot asking Charlottesville voters to authorize a local retail sales tax of up to 1% to fund school capital projects, including new construction and major renovations.
City counsel John Maddox explained the process and constraints: the tax, if authorized by voters, may be used only for qualifying school capital projects and related bond or financing costs; groceries and certain hygiene products are exempt from the measure. The resolution sets a 20-year expiration date for the authorization (ending June 30, 2046). "Tonight council is not imposing a tax. Rather, you're deciding whether the voters should be given the opportunity to authorize one," Maddox said. Staff said further work is planned with the school board to identify a scope and likely projects before voters cast ballots.
