MANTEO, N.C. (WAVY) – Leaders from all of the towns and counties in the Outer Banks gathered Monday morning to say they do not support a proposed North Carolina bill. Senate Bill 369 would change the way sales tax is distributed across the state.
The sentiment from everyone gathered at Monday’s news conference is the bill would have a serious and negative impact. One by one, all six mayors and the board of commissioners from Dare and Currituck Counties told residents how the bill – if passed – would impact them. They all say the bill could lead to a cut in services, including fire, EMS, and police. They say cutting services could even lead to fewer visitors and thus less tax money coming into the region.
Under the proposal, officials say part of the sales tax that local municipalities have been using would have to go back to the state.
“If you are a tourism county or a county that’s dependent on people coming in, visiting, then you’re going to be hurt under this, and many counties are,” expressed Dare County Manager Bobby Outten.
There is no word when this bill may go into law, if at all. Senate Bill 369 was introduced in March. Right now it is still in committee. However, there is a sales tax redistribution plan in the Senate budget. According to state legislative staff, they are nowhere near a final vote on it.
WAVY News 10’s Brandi Cummings spent Monday in Manteo and will have more on what the bill could mean for the Outer Banks, tonight beginning on WAVY News 10 at 4.
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