County to hold hearing on quarter-cent sales tax for education

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2019

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County commissioners will hold a public hearing on Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. on a quarter-cent county sales tax to fund education in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System.
Commissioners are considering placing the sales tax on the ballot for the 2020 primary. If approved by voters, the tax would apply to some purchases in Forsyth County. Notable exceptions to the tax include groceries, gas, motor vehicles and some services. The additional quarter-cent sales tax would provide an estimated $13 million annually for education purposes.
The hearing will be held in the Commissioners Meeting Room on the fifth floor of the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.
Commissioners have discussed repealing the one-cent property tax increase in this year’s budget if this sales tax passes. The property tax increase generates an estimated $3.7 million that currently funds teacher supplements.
Commissioners plan to vote on placing the quarter-cent sales tax on the ballot after the hearing ends. Statewide, voters in more than 40 counties have ratified a quarter-cent county sales tax, including Orange, Durham, Surry, Rockingham, Davidson and Randolph.