Finance Update: Sales Tax for Education - BOS Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors held a meeting on July 22, 2026, to discuss the possibility of placing a referendum on the November ballot to authorize a 1% local retail sales tax. This tax would generate revenue exclusively for capital projects related to the construction and renovation of public schools in the county. The discussion covered the legal framework allowing localities in Virginia to levy this tax, the specific projects that could be funded—including six key school construction and renovation projects—and the financial implications such as a 20-year sunset on the tax and potential offsets in real estate and personal property tax rates. Board members emphasized the importance of allowing voters to decide on the tax, noting that approximately 25-30% of the revenue would come from non-residents, thus spreading the tax burden. The board voted unanimously to move forward with petitioning the circuit court to place the sales tax referendum on the ballot, with no immediate approval of the tax itself.