Mitchell County Commissioners have made the suggestion, now it will be up to the people of Mitchell County to decide whether they want to increase the sales tax in their county. The commissioners voted unanimously to add a 1/4 cent sales tax referendum to the ballot. If passed it would affect all products purchased in the county. A sales tax increase is viewed as a way of tapping into funds from non-resident consumers, whether it is shoppers from neighboring counties or tourists from other areas that come into the county to purchase products. This would allow the local government to get tax money from outside sources to help with the county’s needs. Mitchell Commissioners Chairman Vern Grindstaff expressed concern that people not confuse this with a property tax increase. It will only affect products purchased, not residents’ property taxes. The funds from the sales tax increase, if passed, would not be earmarked for any particular project but would be distributed as needed.
