The quarter-cent sales tax increase in Nash County has been turned down by voters. With 26 of 26 precincts reporting by 9:25 p.m., the tax was defeated 61.22 percent to 38.78 percent.
If the tax had not been defeated, commissioners would have spent 80 percent of the funds raised by the tax increase on public schools or community college projects and the other 20 percent on public safety and community facilities projects.
The sales tax increase wouldn't have affected the purchase of groceries, home and automobile purchases, and, if it was approved, it would have generated about $2.8 million a year for the county.
Hilary Hellens