Yadkin County voters to decide on sales tax in November ballot

Yadkin County leaders are hoping that the fifth time will be the charm when increasing the county's sales tax rate to help fund economic development, schools, emergency services, and more. In March of this year, a press release stated that the County Board of Commissioners voted to include a referendum for a quarter cent sales and use tax on the November 2026 ballot. The measure was previously on the ballot in 2024 and failed, marking the fourth attempt following a prior effort in 2020. Neighboring counties such as Forsyth, Surry, and Wilkes have already implemented the tax.

The March press release noted that the quarter cent tax would apply to clothing, electronics, and prepared food, while excluding groceries, prescription medications, and gas. According to the County website, a quarter cent sales tax increase is estimated to bring in $980,000 per year in revenue. Priorities for these funds include economic development for recruiting new businesses, parks and recreation, schools for teacher recruitment and capital projects, the Sheriff's Office for vehicles and recruitment, and Emergency Services for new ambulances and equipment.

Much of the discussion regarding the proposed increase centers on spreading the tax burden to visitors and shoppers in the county, rather than relying solely on residents who pay property taxes. Yadkin County Manager Michael Silverman utilized TikTok to share information about the referendum and the proposed tax increase. The referendum will appear on the second page of the November ballot, alongside several proposed North Carolina state constitutional amendments.

The voter registration deadline for the November 3 election is October 9 by 5 p.m. Early voting for the November election is slated to begin on October 15.