DANBURY — The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 10 to add two separate questions to the November 2024 ballot for Stokes County voters to decide: whether or not to levy an additional 1/4 cent sales tax and whether or not to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages.
No speakers addressed either matter during public comment at the meeting.
Voters will choose either “for” or “against” a local sales tax at the rate of 0.25% (1/4 cent) in addition to all other state and local sales and use tax.
A 1/4 cent increase would bring the total sales tax in Stokes County from 6.75% to 7%, bringing a slight increase to the total cost for those purchasing items subject to sales tax.
On a $10 purchase, the sales tax would increase 2 cents, from about 68 cents to 70 cents. (The total spent would increase from $10.68 to $10.70).
On a $100 purchase, the sales tax would increase about 20 cents, from about $6.80 to $7. (The total spent would increase from $106.80 to $107).
The increase could potentially bring in from $800,000 to $1.2 million for the county, according to Interim County Manager Amber Brown.
Commissioner Sonya Cox voiced some skepticism that the twice-defeated 1/4 cent sales tax will pass in November.
“A private group has to be tasked with promoting it, because we can’t use any county money to promote it,” Cox said during the meeting discussion. “It has to be promoted with yard signs, with mailers, and all that money has to be private. So that needs to happen sooner rather than later.”
Commissioner Rick Morris said he supported to sales tax increase.
“Every dollar that we don’t get out of sales tax, other than a few minor exceptions, is going to come from property tax. The more sales tax we can take in, the less property tax we have to spend,” Morris said.
“If property tax is your area of concern, which it is about 100% around here, then I think people need to realize that we’ve got to get it somewhere, and it’d sure be better if it was maybe some folks outside the county helping to fund all this stuff instead of everything coming from our internal property owners.”
Commissioner and Board Chair Brad Chandler highlighted the tourism numbers that include about 900,000 visitors to Hanging Rock State Park annually who contribute to sales tax on their way in and out of the park.
“That’s money that helps fund the rescues that our fire departments have to do,” he said. “Please pass the word on if you support the sales tax, please tell people need to vote for that in this upcoming election.”
The alcoholic beverage election will include two “for” or “against” questions on the ballot as stated in the resolution:
• “To permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres, and convention centers and the ‘on-premises’ and ‘off-premises’ sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine in qualified establishments.”
• “To permit the operation of ABC stores.”
Businesses such as wedding venues in the county have approached officials because inability to sell alcoholic mixed beverages puts them at a disadvantage compared to businesses in King, Walnut Cove and Virginia.
“Hopefully it will pass so that all businesses in Stokes County will operate on the same sheet of music, same level playing field,” Chandler said.
“That’s one more tool they have to survive.”
Fire district map change approved
The Board unanimously approved a change to the fire district map as requested by Fire Marshal Scott Aaron. The Stokes County Fire Commission had previously voted to not fund the Pilot Knob Fire Department and commissioner approval was needed to submit the new map to the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal.
The contract with Pilot Knob Fire Department will end July 1. The area is within the Double Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue coverage area as well as Pilot Mountain Rescue.
“The Fire Marshals Office and Mapping have worked together to get these maps and confirm that all the properties in this area are covered within a 5-mile insurance district,” agenda materials state.
Among other business, the Board of Commissioners:
• Approved a zoning ordinance amendment regarding accessory dwellings. The amendment states that only one accessory dwelling shall be permitted on a tract containing a single-family dwelling unit (the principal unit). The amendment, which is available on the county website on the agenda for the June 10 meeting, also states several standards that the accessory dwelling must conform to.
• Approved minutes for the May 28 regular meeting and tax office items via the consent agenda.
• Approved the renewal of insurance policies through the North Carolina Association for County Commissioners for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
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