Tax referendum on ballot in November

Burke residents will get to decide whether the county adopts a quarter-cent sales tax on most goods and services at the general election Nov. 5.

The Burke Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to put the matter before the voters via referendum during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.

The local-option tax, known as Article 46, would add a quarter of a penny per every $100 purchase, excluding unprepared foods (groceries) and gasoline. 

Currently, a $100 purchase costs the consumer $106.75 with tax. Under Article 46, the same purchase would cost $107.  

The state approved Article 46 for counties that wanted it in 2008. Burke had a referendum that year, but the tax was defeated. There are no state restrictions on how counties can use the additional funds.

Commissioner Randy Burns, who introduced the measure, said instituting Article 46 would help the board reduce the tax burden on the county’s property owners. He said the tax would generate $3 million of additional revenue per year and could allow the board to lower property taxes by as much as 3%.

He advocated letting the voters decide.

“This decision can’t be made in the back room, rightfully so,” Burns said. “It has to go to the voters. Putting Article 46 on the ballot is about respecting our democratic principles and the wisdom of our people. I would never deny our people an opportunity to vote on something as important as this.”

Commissioner Scott Mulwee said Article 46, which is utilized by several neighboring countries, would allow Burke to garner revenue from visitors.

“Visitors generate $130 million inside Burke County. That’s a considerable amount of money we’re leaving on the table that can help us lower and diversify our tax rate,” Mulwee said.

Board member Phil Smith said letting the voters decide is the right move.

“I campaigned on lowering property taxes,” Smith said. “And until I am presented with a better method of doing that, this is a viable option that I see that we can use, and the people have a say-so in it.”

“I think the voters are smart enough to decide whether or not they want their property taxes lowered and maybe add a Coca Cola a month to their tax bill.”

Burke’s property tax rate of 56 cents per $100 of tax value has stayed the same for two years in a row. The board reduced it from 69.5 cents last year after an especially high property revaluation in January 2023. Even though the rate went down, some people’s property taxes went up because of the reval. 

Burns pointed out not everyone saw an increase, but those whose tax bill stayed the same or went down are never as vocal as the ones who paid more. He added no method of property taxation can satisfy everyone, and he’s convinced Article 46 would benefit the county’s taxpayers in the long run. 

Burke County Republican Party Chair Tim Buff disagreed and voiced his concern during the public comments portion of the meeting.

“A quarter of a percent may not sound like much, but it’s a lot in the mix to what’s going on out here today,” Buff said. “Given this board’s past history of increasing taxes, don’t allow another tax to be put on the ballot for this fall to be another burden on the people of Burke County.” 

In the end, though, the board thought voters should decide.

“Placing Article 46 on the ballot is a clear affirmation of our commitment to democracy, our conservative values,” Burns said. “It ensures that the voices of our community are heard and respected. Let’s trust our voters and allow them to decide which direction we’re going to go with Article 46.”

In other action, the board:

• Approved a request from Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) to purchase 43.1 acres on Huffman Avenue in Connelly Springs for potential construction of a new East Burke Elementary School. The purchase totals $1 million.

• Approved a request from BCPS to purchase a property at 305 W. Union St., currently the home of Burke United Christian Ministries, for use as a new schools' administration building. The purchase totals $1.5 million. Burke Charitable Properties owns the building. Doug Setzer, president of the BCP board of directors, has said a substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale will help BUCM move into its new home on East Fleming Drive.

• Appointed Andrew Lowdermilk to the county planning board.

• Adopted a resolution to secure additional opioid settlement funds by entering into a recent settlement negotiated with Kroger.

• Heard a departmental update from IT Director Scott Black.

• Heard a report from Animal Services Director Kaitlin Settlemyre, who said the department’s euthanasia rate is much lower than it was at this time a year ago. Settlemyre said Animal Services has had 97 euthanasia this year compared to 335 at this point in 2023.