NEW: Sales tax increase passes muster with voters

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March 2, 2010

Larry Penkava The Randolph Guide Tue Mar 02, 2010, 09:58 PM EST

ASHEBORO — County voters supported a 1/4-cent sales tax increase by a margin of 54.4 percent to 45.6 percent.

The revenue from the added tax will benefit capital programs at Randolph Community College. It was felt necessary to alleviate overcrowded conditions on the campus. First in priority is renovation of the old Klaussner building on Industrial Park Avenue near the college.

Unofficial results were 2,302 for and 1,929 against the sales tax. The Randolph County Board of Elections will hold a canvass next Tuesday to verify the results.

"I'm just incredibly grateful to the people of Randolph County, to the people who have expressed confidence in the college," said RCC President Bob Shackleford, who has been traveling around the county talking to various groups to round up support for the measure. He thanked all the groups "who stuck their necks out" for the referendum.

"I'm very pleased with the results," said Jim Campbell, chairman of the RCC Board of Trustees. "I'm excited that now we can go ahead with construction and new programs to help the people of Randolph County and to educate the workforce. Thanks to all the people who have helped" in the campaign.

Shackleford said going around the county and meeting the people "was a reward. Now the vote is the icing on the cake. We can make a difference."

He said that after the Tuesday canvass confirms the result, RCC can begin working with the county commissioners to start collecting revenues for capital projects on July 1. The first project will be Phase I of the Klaussner building, which will be turned into a state-of-the-art, customized training center for the RCC machining programs and for Continuing Education.

The 1/4-cent tax is projected to bring in approximately $2 million per year, which equates to about 2 cents on the property tax rate. Proponents of the tax have said it's a more fair way to raise revenues, rather than putting the cost onto property owners who make up just 40 percent of the county population. Sales taxes are paid by everyone who buys goods, including travelers passing through. The tax doesn't apply to groceries, medicines or gasoline.

"I'm really humbled by the vote of confidence by the people of Randolph County," Shackleford said. "We have a responsibility to earn that confidence during the months ahead."

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