MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County leaders will vote Tuesday on whether a proposed sales tax increase should be implemented, meaning you'd have to pay more at the register when shopping.
County commissioners believe the small increase, only about one-quarter of a percent, would bring in big bucks. In fact, they estimate the new tax would raise an additional $50 million to Mecklenburg County.
So where would that money go? Naturally, that's what the fuss is mostly about, with some people saying it should go toward upgrading the county's parks and greenways. Others believe it should go to the arts and sciences council, saying it's the cost of culture.
Arts and Science Council President Robert Bush said this was an essential service provided to our community.
He said donations were down and the organization, which works with 160 other organizations across the area, needed a steady revenue stream.
“Not only is it going to stabilize and grow the major institutions, it's gonna make sure everybody has access deep in neighborhoods and children at school."
And then there's the possibility of using the money to help with Charlotte's affordable housing crisis.
Opponents of the increase include Commissioner Pat Cotham, who didn't like the idea of raising the sales tax when it was first considered in 2014.
“The timing on it is bad. We just had major revaluation and people are gonna be getting bigger tax bills. Are we gonna kick 'em when they’re down?”
If the measure passes the commissioners' vote Tuesday night, it will go to the polls in November and voters will have the final say.