Tax hike proposed to fund school upgrades
Dwight Otwell Editor

A quarter cent will be added to sales tax in Cherokee County if the Cherokee County School Board gets its way.

The board, at its monthly meeting Thursday, discussed how to structure a referendum package to be presented to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. The tax would initially finance facility improvements at three schools.

School Board Chairman Dr. David Ackerman pointed out that the North Carolina General Assembly this year voted to phase out counties' share of Medicaid costs. The General Assembly also authorized counties to levy an additional 1/4 cent sales tax or an additional .4 percent additional tax on land transfers. The county commissioners must approve the tax and the voters must pass it in a referendum. The county can levy only one of the two taxes.

Ackerman noted that some school districts have already had referendums on one or both sales taxes and they were defeated.

"Some of the referendums that failed were simply requesting to increase taxes," Ackerman said. "We have the opportunity to present to the community some of our needs."

Board member Dr. Brian Mitchell said he wants to see the bond referendum held this coming year to finance the top priority school construction needs. The three top priorities are:

• Martins Creek Schools - four classrooms and bathroom

• Peachtree Elementary - two classrooms and a gymnasium

• Marble Elementary - classrooms

Dr. Mitchell said that over 15 years, the school board could finance an $8 million to $8.5 million facility package with the quarter cent tax. He said the school's master plan will focus on middle and high schools so the quarter cent sales tax could finance elementary school facility needs.

"It is difficultto get a property tax increase, so I think this (sales tax) will fit," Mitchell said.

Board member WinfieldClonts said that the tax money should be earmarked for education and both taxes (sales tax and transfer tax)s could be put on the referendum. That way, if one fails, the other may pass.

"We need to convince the community that we need the entire quarter cent tax for school facilities," said Board member Paula Watson.

Watson said they can get parent/teachers associations to lobby for passage of the tax.

"I think selling it is possible and the community will support it," she said.

Ackerman said that to make the sales tax more appealing to the public, they could put a sunset (time limit) on the tax so that after a certain number of years it would be retired.

Facilities Director Terelle Beaver said our present sales tax is 6.75 cents. The matter was referred to a subcommittee on facilities.

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners estimated that a .4 land transfer tax would bring in an additional $1,691,628 to Cherokee County and a 1/4 cent sales tax would bring in an additional $845,047 to the county.

In a related matter, Beaver and School officialGary Wright presented the architectural rendering for the addition to Ranger School, which has already been approved. The plan calls for seven new classrooms and gang toilets. A computer lab will also be added, but the additions will remain under 10,000 square feet and the cost will not likely be increased. Estimated cost of the addition is $1.78 million. The board approved the design change to include a computer lab.

In a related matter, Beaver presented a proposal from a company for a master plan for future facility needs. Beaver said that the proposal from Barge Waggoner/ Sumner & Cannon is $40,000 to $45,000 for a facility assessment, $25,000 to $30,000 for an educational assessment and $9,000 to $25,000 for a community collaboration assessment.

Board member Debbie Hogan said the proposal was very expensive. Beaver suggested that they investigate other sources for providing information and direction. The board tabled the matter.