Chesterfield voters to decide on sales tax hike in November

WTVR CBS 6 (YouTube)·Aug 10, 2026

Chesterfield voters to decide on sales tax hike in November

TL;DR: Chesterfield County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a 1% sales tax increase dedicated to school construction and renovations.

Quick facts

Who: Chesterfield County voters and Board of Supervisors
What: Ballot referendum on 1% sales tax increase to fund school capital projects
When: Nov. 3, 2026
Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia

The story

Chesterfield County voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to approve a 1% local sales tax increase, officially called "1 for Schools," that would be dedicated exclusively to school construction and major renovation projects. The Board of Supervisors voted on July 22 to adopt the resolution requesting the Chesterfield Circuit Court place the referendum on the ballot.

If approved, the increase would raise the county's total sales tax from 6% to 7% and is projected to generate between $65 million and $70 million annually. The tax would not apply to groceries or personal hygiene products. Revenue collected would be used only for capital projects involving the construction or major renovation of public schools serving Chesterfield County. The tax would expire on July 22, 2046, after 20 years.

The Board of Supervisors has signaled it would propose offsetting property tax reductions if voters approve the sales tax increase. County officials have proposed cutting the real estate tax rate by at least 2 cents per $100 of assessed value and reducing the personal property tax rate by 10 cents. These cuts would partially offset the new sales tax burden on residents.

The referendum was made possible by legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2026, effective July 1, which expanded the 1% local sales tax option to all localities statewide for qualifying school capital projects.

Key players

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Approved resolution on July 22 to request referendum
Chesterfield County Public Schools: School system that would benefit from construction and renovation funding
Chesterfield Circuit Court: Court that formally placed referendum on election ballot

Key dates

2026-07-22: Board of Supervisors voted to adopt referendum resolution
2026-11-03: Voters decide on 1% sales tax referendum
2046-07-22: Proposed sales tax expires (if approved)

The case for

A 1% sales tax increase could provide substantial and dedicated funding for school construction and major renovations, addressing overcrowding and facility maintenance needs without relying solely on county general revenue or bond issuance. The tax exemption for groceries and hygiene products protects lower-income households, and the 20-year sunset ensures the increase is temporary.

The case against

The sales tax is a regressive tax that affects all consumers equally regardless of income, placing a heavier burden on lower-income residents who spend a larger share of their earnings on taxable goods. The proposed property tax cuts may not fully offset the sales tax impact for all households, and the measure adds a new tax rather than directing existing revenue to schools.

Why it matters: The vote will determine whether Chesterfield can fund school construction and renovations without relying exclusively on county operating budgets or new debt, directly impacting school facilities, student learning environments, and classroom capacity. It also signals whether residents will accept a sales tax increase tied to a specific public need and a fixed expiration date.

Places

Chesterfield County

Development timeline

2026-07-01
Virginia law expands 1% sales tax option: Legislation takes effect allowing all Virginia localities to seek voter approval for up to 1% additional sales tax for school capital projects [source]
2026-07-22
Board of Supervisors approves referendum: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors votes to adopt resolution requesting Chesterfield Circuit Court place referendum on ballot [source]
2026-11-03
Voters decide on sales tax increase: Chesterfield County voters vote on 1% sales tax increase for school construction and renovation projects [source]

Sources

#Chesterfield County #sales tax #schools #referendum#property tax#school construction#Nov. 3 2026

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