07/06/2026 Joint Board of Supervisors and School Board Special Meeting

The County of Powhatan held a joint special meeting of the Board of Supervisors and School Board on July 6, 2026, primarily to discuss the potential implementation of a 1% local sales tax dedicated to funding school capital projects. Presentations detailed the significant deferred maintenance and capital needs of the school facilities, estimated at around $80 million, and explained how the proposed sales tax, if approved by voters in the November 3, 2026 referendum, could generate approximately $5 million annually to support up to $60 million in debt for school construction, renovations, and major maintenance. The meeting included discussions on the types of projects eligible for funding, the tax's impact on residents and non-residents making purchases in the county, and the financial mechanisms for using the revenue, including both cash funding and debt financing. Board members emphasized the importance of transparency, public education on the tax's implications, and the need for clear safeguards in project cost management. The Board of Supervisors voted to place the sales tax referendum on the November ballot for voter consideration.