Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes referendum to ask voters for 1% sales tax to fund school capital projects
Summary
The Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors voted to pass a resolution authorizing a referendum on a 1% local sales tax dedicated to school capital projects; staff estimated the tax could generate roughly $4 million annually and would run 20 years from the resolution date if adopted.
The Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize a citizen referendum asking voters to approve up to a 1% local sales tax dedicated to school capital projects. County Attorney Mr. Jones explained the statutory process and timing, urging the board to adopt the resolution to meet court and election deadlines for the November 3 ballot.
"As of the state passing its annual budget the county is now authorized to seek the voters ... to impose up to a 1% additional local sales tax," Mr. Jones said, noting the enabling law requires a local resolution, a court order, and public notices before the election. He described eligible uses as "new construction, major renovations, capital improvements and most importantly ... bond and loan financing cost."
Board members and staff discussed the compressed schedule and outreach needed to inform voters. Staff and consultants told the board they expect the county to retain roughly 80–85% of the gross 1% tax after exemptions and distributions to towns are accounted for; staff provided an illustrative annual estimate of about $4,000,000. "We can say the tax is going to generate, you know, annually $4,000,000," a county staff member told the board.
Several supervisors urged caution about timing and public perception because the resolution would start the 20-year clock from the date of adoption, not from when collections begin. One supervisor said the county had roughly 16 weeks to educate voters if the referendum is scheduled in November and emphasized coordinating messaging with the school division to provide specific project costs and debt-service impacts.
The board voted to adopt the resolution directing staff to file the petition and court materials required to request the referendum. The resolution was moved and seconded and passed by recorded voice votes from the board. Next steps include filing the petition with the circuit court, publishing required notices, and preparing neutral voter-education materials identifying what a yes or no vote would mean.
Action: motion to adopt resolution authorizing a referendum to consider up to a 1% local sales tax for school capital projects; motion passed.
