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Local Option Sales Tax
Voters in Wayne County will decide during the 2022 general election how they want to fund important services such as the Sheriff's Office, EMS, Department of Social Services, Health Department, all Library branches, Senior Center and Services on Aging, Veterans Services, and school safety improvements. Sales tax revenue allows the Commissioners to lessen the burden on property taxes. This sales tax referendum excludes gas, prescription medication, and non-prepared foods or groceries. Remember-- sales tax applies to everyone, not just property owners. When you visit other counties and spend money, you’re already paying this increased sales tax. Duplin, Sampson, Wake, Orange, etc. These areas all collect 7% or more.
The sales tax referendum has been supported by numerous municipalities and local organizations:
- Wayne County Board of Commissioners
- Town of Fremont Board of Alderman/Alderwomen
- Town of Pikeville Board of Commissioners
- Village of Walnut Creek Village Council
- Town of Mount Olive City Council
- Wayne County Democratic Party
- Wayne County Republican Party
- Wayne Community College Board of Trustees
- Wayne County Board of Education
- Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
How Will It Affect Me?
Look for this on your ballot in November 2022
- Who put this on the ballot?
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Under N.C.G.S. 105-535, the NC General Assembly gives county boards of commissioners the authority to place an additional one-quarter cent (1/4¢) county sales and use tax on the ballot for voters to decide on.
- Why is this on the ballot?
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The Board of Commissioners is looking for alternative revenue sources to provide services to the public without increasing taxes on the property owners. Sales tax affects everyone making purchases in the County. Visitors traveling through will pay this tax as well, not just our residents. Alternative revenue like this will allow the Commissioners to possibly lower property taxes.
- What does this fund?
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Sales tax revenue allows the County to provide better service to residents. This sales tax revenue will help fund:
- Health Department
- Department of Social Services
- EMS stations
- Sheriff's Office
- 911 Center
- Library branches
- Senior Center and Services on Aging
- Veterans Services
- School safety and improvements
- How much will this cost me?
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This sales tax would add one penny to a $4 purchase, one quarter to a $100 purchase, and one dollar to a $400 purchase. If this sales tax passes, it would raise the sales tax rate from 6.75% to 7%.
- How much money will this raise?
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If the sales tax referendum passes, this will generate approximately $2.8 million. A 1 cent property tax increase only generates $900,000. To raise the same amount of revenue, the property tax would have to increase 3 cents.
- Does this apply to every purchase?
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The sales and use tax referendum excludes gas, prescription medication, and non-prepared foods or groceries.
- I heard this was a 12.5% tax increase?
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The sales tax rate you pay will not go up 12.5%. The sales tax rate is currently 6.75% in Wayne County. If this referendum passes, the sales tax will increase to 7%. This is a .25% increase.
What does this mean?
A vote FOR the local sales and use tax:
- Increases the sales tax rate from 6.75% to 7%
- Shares the tax burden across anyone purchasing goods (excluding gas, prescription medication, and non-prepared foods or groceries) in Wayne County
- Increases the level of service Wayne County is able to provide. This funds critical services like: Sheriff's Office, EMS, Department of Social Services, Health Department, all Library branches, Senior Center and Services on Aging, and Veterans Services. In addition to these services, school safety and other improvements will receive additional funding.
- Allows the Board of Commissioners to possibly lower property tax rates
- Generates approximately $2.8 million per year in revenue for Wayne County. This sales tax will raise the equivalent of a 3 cent property tax increase.
A vote AGAINST the local sales and use tax:
- Keeps the sales tax rate at 6.75%
- No change in level of service in Wayne County
- Property taxes may increase in future years to fund existing services
- A 1 cent property tax increase generates $900,000