Odd numbered years are when North Carolina counties and municipalities vote for their local level public officials, as well as on taxes and bonds that affect the local populations. This November was no different from any other and had a number of fiscal items on ballots across the state.
The major item on the ballots in Harnett and Yadkin counties were increases to their sales and use taxes. Starting in October 2009, all counties had a choice to set their local sales taxes at one of two rates. Almost all chose to set the rate at the lower 2 percent with only 8 counties electing to have the higher 2.25 percent rate. Since then, 18 counties have elected to increase their local option sales tax rate to 2.25 percent – one of which was a few days ago in the most recent election. Harnett County passed the tax by an overwhelming 71 percent of the vote. On the other sales tax ballot, Yadkin County defeated the sales tax increase with 58 percent voting against it.
The only other taxes on ballots last week were taxes in fire districts to help aid the local volunteer fire departments. Jones County has seven volunteer fire departments, five of which had the tax on their ballots. It passed every town except for Maysville. Prior to the referendum, fire departments in Jones County relied on fundraisers to pay bills.
The other major fiscal impact of the election was the passage of many general obligation bonds. In total, there were $611 million worth of bonds passed across the state last Tuesday night. Of the eleven bonds on ballots, only 2 failed. Those were the parks and recreation bond for the City of Hendersonville and a school bond in Onslow County. Passing with a large majority of voters were:
- Johnston County School Bond ($57 million) and Community College Bond ($7 million)
- Town of Grifton Street Bond ($1.94 million)
- Town of Cornelius Roads, Intersections and Sidewalks ($11.15 million), Parks and Recreation ($5.25 million), and Town Center Redevelopment ($4 million)
- Mecklenburg County School Bond ($295 million) and Community College Bond ($210 million)
- Pitt County School Bond ($20 million)
What impact will these bonds and taxes have on local communities in North Carolina? Many have claimed the bonds will not result in tax increases, but with an uncertain economy it is only a claim and there cannot be a promise taxes won’t rise in the future. As for Harnett County, the revenue to the county will increase due to the sales tax — hopefully the dollars collected will be spent wisely and not on special government projects that don’t benefit all of those paying the increased tax.
Below I have listed all the bonds along with the percentage of votes associated with the result of each race.
Election |
Result |
Voting Percentage |
Town of Cornelius GO Roads, Intersections and Sidewalk Bond ($11.15 M) |
Yes |
81% |
Town of Cornelius GO Parks and Recreation Bond ($5.25 M) |
Yes |
72% |
Town of Cornelius GO Town Center Redevelopment Bond ($4 M) |
Yes |
67% |
Town of Grifton GO Street Bond ($1.94 M) |
Yes |
59% |
City of Hendersonville GO Parks and Recreation Bond ($6 M) |
No |
53% |
Harnett County Sales and Use Tax (2.25%) |
Yes |
71% |
Johnston County GO School Bond ($57 M) |
Yes |
76% |
Johnston County GO Community College Bond ($7 M) |
Yes |
76% |
Jones County – Comfort Fire Protection District Fire Tax |
Yes |
60% |
Jones County – Hargetts Cross Roads Fire Protection District Fire Tax |
Yes |
57% |
Jones County – Maysville Fire Protection District Fire Tax |
No |
64% |
Jones County – Pollocksville Fire Protection District Fire Tax |
Yes |
71% |
Jones County – Trenton Fire Protection District Fire Tax |
Yes |
58% |
Mecklenburg County GO School Bond ($295 M) |
Yes |
74% |
Mecklenburg County GO Community College Bond ($210 M) |
Yes |
72% |
Onslow County GO School Bond ($75 M) |
No |
64% |
Pitt County GO Community College Bond ($20 M) |
Yes |
62% |
Yadkin County Sales and Use (2.25%) |
No |
58% |
Click here for the Fiscal Update archive.