York County voters to weigh in on sales tax increase in November

YORKTOWN – The York County Board of Supervisors voted last Tuesday to include a referendum on the November ballot that would add a local sales tax of up to 1% to fund school construction and renovations.

The action does not establish a new tax but allows voters to decide whether or not the county should implement the tax.

The decision comes after the Virginia General Assembly authorized a new measure allowing all counties and cities to seek approval from voters for local sales taxes to provide funding for capital projects in their schools.

If approved by voters, the measure would generate about $12 million in additional revenue for schools each year. The tax would remain in effect for 20 years or until the projects are paid off.

Per state law, funds generated by the tax can only be used for new construction or renovations and cannot be allocated to cover operational costs or employee salaries.

The 1% sales tax increase could go into effect as early as 2027 if the measure passes, but the supervisors could choose to delay its implementation.

Supervisor Stephen Roane said while he understood the reasoning behind the tax proposal, he is worried the referendum is being rushed.

“I understand the driver behind it,” Roane said. “I’m hung up on the speed at which we’re moving with this. The ink is barely dried on adopting the legislation to allow this, and we haven’t had an opportunity to even look at what’s option B, what is option C.”

Roane also expressed concerns that the election is coming up too quickly for constituents to make an informed decision on the matter.

The remaining supervisors, nonetheless, agreed that it would be reasonable to allow the referendum to move forward.

“If they don’t like it, they don’t like it,” Supervisor Sheila Noll said. “If they like it, then we move forward.”

The referendum was approved 4-1, with Roane dissenting. The question will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election.

If voters approve the referendum, the Board will have the authority to adopt an ordinance imposing the additional 1% sales tax, which will apply to goods sold in York County. Groceries and personal hygiene products would be exempt. If voters do not approve it, the sales tax cannot go into effect.

For additional information on the upcoming referendum, visit yorkcounty.gov.