Sales and Use Tax on Election Ballot

SHELBY, NC –Cleveland County residents will have the opportunity to vote for or against a Sales and Use Tax referendum on the Nov. 8 Election ballot. If passed, the Cleveland County sales tax would change from 6.75 percent to 7 percent.  This would equate to an additional $0.25 cents on a $100 purchase. 

The passing of this referendum would create approximately $3 million per year in additional revenue which will be used specifically for Cleveland County Schools capital projects. 

Supporting the referendum is an opportunity for the residents of Cleveland County to have a significant impact on funding improvements for Cleveland County schools. The additional sales tax revenue will have long-term benefits that will help make our community be a better place to live, work, learn and play.

The Sales Tax Referendum will be located at the end of the ballot. When you vote, you will be asked to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a one-quarter of a percent increase to the local sales and use tax.  We want voters to understand, that when you vote for the sales tax referendum, you will be voting to fund educational capital projects such as school safety enhancements and building improvements that will further the County’s commitment to improving the quality of education that students receive.

Gaston, Lincoln, Rutherford, and Catawba counties have already successfully passed this referendum.  When residents are shopping in those counties, they are helping to improve the quality of life in those communities.  Voting against the sales tax referendum would keep the sales tax in Cleveland County at 6.75% and would not provide additional funding for Cleveland County schools.

Here are some important facts about the sales tax referendum:

• Sales and use tax does not apply to commonly purchased items like unprepared food (i.e. groceries), gasoline, prescription drugs, and motor vehicles.
• Passing this sales tax referendum will not affect Cleveland County’s property tax rate. An additional one-quarter of a percent sales tax would generate twice as much revenue as having one cent added to the property tax rate.
• Sales tax generates revenue from visitors, in addition to residents. Everyone who shops in Cleveland County pays sales tax.
• A total of 46 counties in North Carolina have approved the one-quarter of a percent sales tax referendum including our neighbors Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, and Rutherford Counties.