CONCORD — Cabarrus County voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a quarter-cent sales tax increase.
Revenues from the sales tax would be used to pay off $500 million in school construction debt resulting from the construction of 17 new public schools and 18 school renovations or additions during the past decade, the county says.
All county precincts will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Supporters point out that increasing the sales tax would spread the burden to all county residents, not just property owners, and the 4 million people who visit Cabarrus County each year.
The sales tax would generate about $4.6 million annually, county officials say. That’s equal to a 2.2-cent increase in the property tax. County officials say a property tax hike or equivalent budget cuts would be necessary if the referendum fails.