YORK COUNTY – The York County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to approve a resolution placing a School Capital Funding Referendum on the November ballot, allowing voters to decide whether the county may implement a dedicated 1% local sales and use tax for school construction and major renovation projects.
The referendum does not enact the tax but allows voters to decide whether the county may implement it. The Virginia General Assembly recently gave counties and cities the ability to ask voters to approve a local sales and use tax dedicated solely to school construction and major renovation projects
If approved by voters, the measure is estimated to generate about $12 million annually, according to county officials. The referendum will appear on the November general election ballot.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, county officials also provided an update on the Penniman Road Corridor Rehabilitation Project, which will identify residents in need of assistance and rehabilitate their homes.
A study conducted by York County sent surveys to 882 residents in the area. Of the 194 people who responded, 110 indicated they were interested in and qualified for assistance. The first project area will be York Terrace Northwest.
York County has requested a $1.5 million grant for the project and committed a $75,450 local match. The grant application was submitted July 1, with a decision expected in the fall.
The board also voted 4-1, with District 2 representative Sheila Knoll dissenting, to table discussion of a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would allow residents to use cargo units as storage sheds.
Supervisors expressed differing opinions on the proposal, with Vice Chairman and District 5 Supervisor Thomas G. Shepperd Jr. among those raising concerns about allowing cargo units as accessory structures.
“I feel almost personally embarrassed that York County could be known as a place where you can turn a trailer into a storage unit,” said Shepperd. “Rubs me the wrong way.”
Further discussion is scheduled for the board’s next meeting on Sept. 15.
