By: Erin Smith
Voters in Bladen County will be going to the polls on March 15 and will be asked to vote on a quarter-cent sales tax referendum that will be used to reduce the property tax rate by two cents.
The proposed sales tax would generate about $460,000 for Bladen County. The sales tax would not apply to such purchases as groceries, utilities, gas, prescription drugs, certain agricultural supplies or motor vehicles.
According to information supplied by Bladen County officials, tourists and visitors would pay the sales tax along thereby lessening the tax burden on the county’s property owners, businesses, and elderly homeowners on fixed incomes.
A sales tax is considered a fair tax because it is generated on items folks choose to purchase.
The original vote by the commissioners was 6-3 to place the referendum on the ballot.
The sales tax referendum has been on the ballot twice in the county and was voted down each time.
About Author
