This fall, voters in Orange County will have the opportunity to decide if a portion of sales tax should be allocated to school construction and renovation, a move that could generate millions.
A new law that went into effect in July allows Virginia localities to place a referendum on the November ballot that, if approved, would increase sales tax by 1% to fund school projects. Previously, only nine localities had the authority to levy the additional sales tax and more than 20 will decide if they’ll have the option this fall. In Orange County, as much as $5 million could be generated annually.
Both the school division and county have been releasing information aimed at educating voters about the referendum. In addition, community engagement sessions have been scheduled in each of the county’s five voting districts. At each meeting, division leaders, school board members and county supervisors will share information about the referendum, what school needs the generated revenue could support and answer questions from those in attendance. Meetings will be held Sept. 23 at Locust Grove Middle School; Sept. 30 at Orange County High School; Oct. 14 at Lightfoot Elementary School and Oct. 21 at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. Questions must be submitted in advance to https://forms.gle/WpJDMpvywuaXMv2i9. No live questions will be accepted.
For more information about the referendum in Orange County, visit https://www.ocss-va.org/departments/facilities-maintenance/1-local-sales-tax-referendum.
