Wythe County staff explains 1% sales‑tax referendum to fund $70M+ in school construction

County finance staff outlined a proposal for a local 1% option sales tax that would appear as a referendum on the November ballot and whose revenues would be restricted to capital school projects. The presentation estimated the combined scope of eligible projects at over $70 million, including a new Spiller Elementary, renovations at Fort Chisle High School, athletic facility improvements and related debt service.

Staff (Mr. Bauer) explained that grocery and personal hygiene items would be exempt from the levy and that, under the ordinance, revenues would flow through the state to a restricted school capital fund. Based on comparison with neighboring counties and expected taxable purchases, staff estimated $5–$6 million per year in local receipts, noting that an estimated 40% of revenue would come from non‑residents/tourists passing through the interstate corridor. Staff also presented modeling showing how borrowing for the projects would affect school debt service and provided illustrative tax‑rate impacts for different phasing options. The board affirmed the prior action to pursue a referendum with final approval of ballot placement to follow the court filing process.