Danville considering a 1-cent sales tax increase
DANVILLE, Va. – Danville leaders are considering a sales tax hike to fund renovations and improvements for its schools, but ultimately the decision would be up to voters. Although a new casino coming to the city is set to bring in about $34 million in tax revenue each year, that won’t happen for a few years. City Manager Ken Larking said that adding a 1-cent sales tax increase would give them a stable source of revenue and would also allow the city to receive cheaper loans for school improvements. “Having a tax dedicated to improving a school, seems to me, something that’s very appropriate,” said Larking. “But really, at the end of the day, it’s the public that gets to decide how important it is.”The city’s school board and city council will have to decide whether or not to move ahead and request a referendum vote on the tax increase, which could end up on the ballot this fall.