Sales Tax Referendum Could Mean More Money For Forsyth County Schools

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools could soon begin receiving some additional funding from the county. The money will depend on whether or not voters approve a referendum in November to increase the local sales tax.

The quarter-cent tax increase would be used to help pay back the loan for a new courthouse. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners says the measure is an alternative to raising property taxes to pay for the project. 

If voters approve the measure, county officials estimate it would bring in $14 million in new revenue per year.

A portion of that money, around $1.2 million, would also go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. County Manager Dudley Watts says commissioners have heard from education leaders who would like to see the funds earmarked for teacher salaries.

“It's a good mechanism to pay for teacher supplements because it actually grows more than property taxes do, and so the sales tax sort of is a solution that could really benefit teachers,” he says.

The school board would ultimately determine how the funds are spent.

If the referendum passes, the new local sales tax would be seven cents for every dollar.

Watts says the increase would not apply to groceries (unprepared foods) or gas.

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