Roanoke officials outline fast timetable to put 1% school‑construction tax before voters

Roanoke City council members spent substantial time on July 6 reviewing the mechanics and timetable for a newly authorized local option 1% sales tax earmarked for school construction and renovation.

Preston Bryant told the committee the enacted budget allows localities to place a 1% sales-tax referendum for school construction and renovation. Council members then questioned staff about timing, public outreach and statutory limits on how the revenue may be used.

City staff advised the committee that if council wants the measure on the November ballot it must act quickly. "We do need to act pretty quickly because it all needs to be ready for the referendum by August 14th," the clerk’s office memo and staff briefing noted. The city attorney’s office and finance staff said they could bring a resolution on July 20 to initiate the process and that a public hearing also could be scheduled for that date.

Council members asked whether the revenue can be banked for future projects and whether a locality can use the money to pay old school debt. City staff said the revenue is limited to new construction and renovations and cannot be used to retire prior debt from past projects. Staff also said the new revenue can be accumulated over time for future projects, though council asked staff to confirm maintenance-of-effort and distribution details.

Several council members emphasized public outreach. "We need to make sure that we get information out to them," Councilmember Miss Powers said, urging early, transparent communication with voters about how the money would be used and public hearings that allow community input prior to the referendum.

If council chooses the November referendum timeline, staff outlined these near-term dates: a resolution and public hearing could be considered at the July 20 council meeting, necessary petition and order steps must be completed by an administrative cutoff around August 14, and the referendum would then appear on the November ballot if council proceeds.

Next steps: city staff will draft a resolution for council consideration, coordinate public outreach and confirm legal and administrative mechanics for fund distribution if the referendum passes.