Street maintenance sales tax election called for Nov. 8

Georgetown residents will vote on a street maintenance sales tax when they go to the polls on Nov. 8. At its regular meeting on Tuesday, City Council approved an ordinance on second and final reading to call an election on Nov. 8 for the 0.25 percent sales tax for street resurfacing and repair.

State law requires that the dedicated sales tax be reauthorized every four years. Georgetown voters initially approved the sales tax for street maintenance in 2002 by 57 percent of the vote. The sales tax was reauthorized in 2006 by 72 percent and in 2010 by 80 percent. In 2014, it was approved by 82 percent of Georgetown voters and in 2018, it was approved by 80 percent.

The November ballot proposition does not increase the sales tax rate. The sales tax for street maintenance is collected from anyone who makes purchases in Georgetown city limits, not just homeowners.

Since April 2003, the quarter-cent sales tax has generated $46 million in revenue dedicated to street maintenance in Georgetown. The sales tax will generate an estimated $6.5 million in 2022.

Early voting in the election is Oct. 24-Nov. 4. Election day is Nov. 8.