On November 5th, voters in Giles County will have the chance to decide on a proposed increase to the sale and use tax. The resolution on the ballot seeks to raise the tax by an additional 0.25%, bringing the total to 9.75% for purchases made in the county, excluding the city of Pulaski. A significant portion of the revenue generated from this increase, specifically half, is earmarked for enhancing funding for the local school system.
It is noteworthy that the city of Pulaski had previously raised its local option tax to the maximum allowable rate of 9.75% back in 2008. However, at that time, there was no requirement for the city to allocate any of the additional revenue to the schools. Should the voters approve this new measure, the school system would benefit from an extra 0.25% from sales in both the city and the county. This adjustment aims to equalize the tax rates between the city and county, ensuring a more stable funding source for education in the future. It is projected that this change could potentially double the financial support Pulaski contributes to the educational system in Giles County.
If the proposal is successful, 50% of the additional revenue generated will be directly allocated to the Giles County school system and designated for “school purposes.” The other half of the revenue will be distributed among the unincorporated areas of the county as well as municipalities within incorporated cities. Furthermore, the proposal includes provisions that allow for an alternative distribution of any new funds that are not specifically designated for educational purposes. Should the measure pass, the implementation of the new tax could take effect by the end of this year.