Madison County voters will see a fourth referendum on their ballot this November.Â
It asks whether the local sales tax should be increased by 1% to fund school construction and renovation.
On the ballot, it will read:
“Should Madison County be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%), provided the revenue from the sales tax authorized by Virginia Code §58.1-605.1 shall be used solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of public schools in Madison County, with such tax to expire upon repayment of any bonds or loans issued to fund such projects by July 6, 2046, or, in the case of capital projects not financed by bonds or loans, the sales tax shall expire on July 6, 2046?”
Virginia schools get funding from a combination of state, local and federal dollars, but school construction projects are primarily funded through local taxes, such as real estate or personal property tax levied by the county or city. That means that those projects have to compete for funding with other needs across the county.
But if this local tax is approved, all of its revenue would go towards school construction. The revenue couldn’t be used to cover other school operations expenses, such as teachers’ salaries or classroom supplies.
Madison County Public Schools officials estimate the tax could bring in $1.3 to $1.6 million annually.
Fixing and maintaining Madison County school buildings could cost more than $112 million over the next 20 years, according to a fact sheet shared by Madison County Public School Facilities Supervisor Stacey Timmons.
The middle and high schools are the main priorities. A study is currently underway to determine whether they need major renovations, or whether the county needs a completely new secondary school complex.
“Relying on temporary fixes, like urgent repairs to boilers, roof leaks, and aging HVAC units, is financially unsustainable over time,” the fact sheet said.
Madison is one of 47 localities across the state that have voted to add the referendum to their ballot since July, after the General Assembly passed legislation making it an option on June 29. Since Virginia is a “Dillon’s Rule” state, local governments cannot exercise powers unless they’ve been granted by the General Assembly. Nine other localities had previously been given permission to levy this tax.
The tax would not automatically come into effect if voters vote yes — it just gives the local government the authority to adopt an ordinance imposing the tax.
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“If the referendum is approved, we would work collaboratively with county leadership to determine the most appropriate and immediate priorities for the funding,” Superintendent Peter Gretz said.
Madison County voters will consider local sales tax for public school capital projects
A study is currently underway to determine whether Madison County’s middle and high schools need major renovations, or whether the county needs a completely new secondary school complex.
