The Orange County Board of Commissioners decided Tuesday to place a referendum for a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot.
The referendum will allow county residents to vote “yes” or “no” on the tax increase, which was narrowly rejected by voters when the county tried the measure in November 2010.
The referendum will appear on the municipal elections ballot later this year rather than the primary elections ballot in 2012 — a plan that caused concern among some residents because voter turnout could be low for the rural residents that opposed the tax in the fall.
“I personally would not have confidence in the integrity of the process if it were done during the municipal elections,” said Chapel Hill resident Will Raymond. “Putting this on municipal elections is a bad idea.”
But commissioners said tax revenue is needed as soon as possible.
“The further we put it off, the longer it takes us to realize the revenues,” said commissioner Valerie Foushee.
Commissioner Barry Jacobs said revenue from the tax increase will go primarily to education and economic development.
He said the sales tax increase, if approved by voters, will provide commissioners with an alternative to raising property taxes.
But Bob Randall, Orange County Republican Party chairman, said taxes are already excessive.
