Roanoke committee advised to move quickly if it wants November vote on 1% school sales tax

City staff told the legislative committee on July 6 that localities that want to use the new 1% local-option sales tax for school construction must move promptly to make a November referendum possible.

City attorney Laura Carini explained the procedural steps and deadlines: ‘‘If it is something that you wanna pursue, we do need to act pretty quickly because it all needs to be ready for the referendum by August 14,’’ she said, and advised bringing a resolution to council by July 20 to start the process and to schedule a public hearing that night so the public can comment. Carini added that further steps—including a petition, court order and a subsequent council ordinance if the referendum passes—are part of the statutory sequence.

Council members and school officials discussed timing and next steps. School representatives said they are still awaiting state calculation tools to estimate local revenue impacts and that the newly constituted school board will coordinate on capital priorities before the city commits to a referendum. Staff cautioned that state law limits how new revenue may be used: local guidance in the briefing said the revenue can be used only for new construction and renovation projects that meet the statute’s criteria, not to pay down existing school debt.

Why this matters: If Roanoke places the measure on the ballot and voters approve it, the city could secure a steady, locally controlled revenue stream for school capital projects. Council members asked for public-engagement planning and clear estimates of likely revenue before committing to the referendum timeline.

Next steps: staff will circulate more detailed guidance, coordinate with the school board and bring a draft resolution and a public-hearing plan to council as requested.