Voters in two counties OK sales tax

• Schedule of referendums and results

Commissioners in Cumberland and Haywood counties gained voter approval May 6 to levy an additional quarter-cent sales tax, an option that had previously passed referendums in six counties.

Voters in 18 other counties that were pursuing the additional sales tax revenue authority, as well as voters in four counties that were pursuing the 0.4 percent land transfer tax, did not approve the referendums.

In Cumberland County, commissioners said the additional revenue would be used for a new library, a new health department building and a new school. In addition, commissioners agreed to use the new revenue source to reduce the property tax rate by 2 cents.

“I think we are committed to all these projects,” Chairman Breeden Blackwell told The Fayetteville Observer the day before the election. “It’s got to come from somewhere, and the only recourse we have is the property tax.”

Haywood County commissioners had said they would use the money for capital needs at Haywood Community College.

In Nash County, where the sales tax referendum failed, commissioners had said they would use 80 percent of the new revenue for schools and 20 percent for public safety needs. Commissioner Robbie Davis told The Wilson Times that the economy, and particularly gas prices that had skyrocketed by more than 60 cents per gallon since January, made it difficult for voters to support the tax.

“When people are struggling to pay for the gas to get to work, they certainly don’t want any tax of any kind, and I can certainly understand that,” he said.

At least three counties have already announced plans to pursue in November one of the two taxing options granted by the General Assembly to counties last summer. Burke and Columbus counties will seek the sales tax and Polk has announced it will pursue the land transfer tax during the general election.

Alexander, Catawba, Martin, Pitt, Sampson and Surry counties all previously gained voter approval on the sales tax. All six began levying the tax April 1.