LENOIR CITY, Tenn. — People in Lenoir City will be able to head to the polls on Saturday for a special election that could change the city's sales tax rate to pay for school improvements and a new senior center.
According to Todd Kennedy, a Lenoir City Councilman, the referendum would increase the local sales tax rate from 2% to 2.75% — an increase that could generate money to help the school system accommodate its growing enrollment.
Renovations include expanding classrooms and adding athletic facilities to the high school. Jeanne Barker, the Director of Schools in Lenoir City, previously said the renovations would cost around $30 million.
Half of the money from the sales tax increase would go to the city's schools and the other half would go towards building a new senior and community center, according to city leaders.
Local sales taxes usually only apply to purchases from retail stores, such as electronics or groceries. Kennedy said assuming that a household with a $53,000 income spends half of its money on taxable purchases, then it would pay around $2 more a week in local sales taxes if the referendum passes.
Only people registered to vote in Lenoir City limits can participate in the election, and the registration deadline was March 14. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. on April 13. North precinct voters will vote at the Eaton Elementary School, and the outside precinct will vote at the War Memorial Building, according to the Loudon County Election Commission.
More information on the special elections is available on the election commission's website.