Voters Decide: Sales tax increase could benefit local schools
Supervisor Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch (Little River) explained during the meeting on July 14 that the Board is "not just looking to raise taxes," and was given the power to do so to benefit schools by the state.
In November, voters will decide through a referendum whether or not Floyd County should create a fund specifically to benefit Capital Improvements throughout Floyd County Public Schools. The revenue would come from a retail sales tax increase of up to 1%.
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to include the matter on the November ballot during its July 14 meeting. The resolution states that the possible tax increase, which was placed in the hands of localities through the General Assembly's Budget Bill (effective July 1, 2026), would last 20 years if approved and apply "solely for capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools serving the County, including bond and loan financing costs related to such construction or renovation."
Supervisor Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch (Little River) explained during the meeting on July 14 that the Board is "not just looking to raise taxes," and was given the power to do so to benefit schools by the state. The up to 1% increase would only apply to general retail — not to food or "essential personal hygiene products," according to the resolution.
"This is an important way for us to generate some much needed funds to help with school capital improvements," DeVito Kuchenbuch said.
Supervisor Jerry Boothe (Courthouse District) said "depending on how much comes in," if approved, the sales tax increase could offset tax increases in other areas. "There’s a lot of things that can be done with it," he said.
Ballot question (wording may change slightly):
Shall Floyd County, Virginia be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent, with the revenues to be used solely for capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools serving Floyd County, Virginia including related bond and loan financing costs, and with the tax expiring on June 30, 2046?
Voters will select "yes" or "no."
The monetary value of a sales tax increase of up to 1% has not yet been confirmed by county officials. This story will be updated when that data is available.
