News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County will not participate in the Sparta Sales Tax referendum.
District 6 Commissioner Roger Mason said the referendum would have given the county a voice in the 25-cent increase.
“So most of the people I have talked to, they had expressed interest in being allowed to vote since most of them shop within the city limits. There are not a lot of businesses out in the county,” Mason said. “Most of our businesses are consolidated kind of within the city limits. So that is where most of the people in the county shop anyways.”
The referendum failed with a 6 to 5 vote Monday.
Mason said the county may have another chance to take part in the referendum.
“I think the next steps basically when they have their referendum in September if it passes in the city,” Mason said. “And the city imposes the additional sales tax, then the county, I believe if I understand it correctly, the county has another 90 days.”
Mason said the county works for the people it represents.
“I think everybody felt like they were doing what the citizens that elected them wanted them to do,” Mason said. “And there was a difference in opinion, but in the end, the whole body tries to do what’s best for the overall.”
The original sales tax referendum will provide additional funding for Sparta road improvements.
