Washington County residents will vote on March 5 to decide on a new local sales tax, which officials hope will prevent a property tax hike. The proposed tax would increase by one-fourth of a cent, equivalent to a quarter of a penny, and generate an estimated $300,000 annually.
Although the tax has yet to be approved in the past, county officials are pushing an education campaign to inform residents of the benefits of the tax and how it could help the county. Asia Melton, a Lead For North Carolina fellow, said that the generated revenue would stay within the county, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners would have discretion over how the money would be used.
Certain items would be taxed, including prepared food and hotel stays for tourists passing through the county. However, purchases like gas, groceries, and medicine are exempt from the tax.
Lou Manring, a county resident, said that the tax is a good idea because it would “raise significant income for the county when we’re desperately in need of an increase in funds.” However, some residents are against the tax because they do not understand how it would help the country.
Melton said that the education campaign aims to inform residents of the benefits of the tax and how it could help prevent a property tax hike. “That’s why this referendum has failed in the past: these citizens and the residents have not been educated on how this would help our county so much,” she said.
All residents, tourists, and businesses will pay the tax if the tax is approved. County officials urge residents to get informed and vote on March 5 to prevent a property tax hike.
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