Washington County voters will have the opportunity to decide if they want the sales tax to help fund facility construction, renovation, or renewal projects for the local school district over the next ten years.
by Kathy Foster
After hearing from Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor at the Tuesday morning special meeting, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to put the issue of a ten-year one-half cent sales tax on the upcoming Aug. 28th Election Ballot in Washington County.
With Washington County School Board members in attendance, Taylor was the spokesperson presenting the issue to the commissioners for their approval.
Taylor made a strong case for implementing the sales tax, pointing out that over the past few years school system incomes have decreased and some projects have gone by the wayside. He noted, “There has been less money coming in to fund education.”
School Board member Vann Brock said it just has come down to point that funds are needed for construction and technology. He added, “it is not fair to our kids to fall behind.”
All concerned ultimately pretty much agreed that they saw a sales tax as the fairest tax.
In other business at Tuesday’s Special Meeting, commissioners took the following actions:
- Approved the minutes of the June 7th Special Board Meeting.
- Approved the agreement for the Elections Security Grant received by the County.
- Approved ordering a boundary survey for the Holmes Creek Park.
- Approved payment of June vouchers for the County totaling $1,522,736.95.
- Approved an inter-local agreement for the Highway 79 Corridor Authority.