Williamson County To Ask Cities To Raise Sales Taxes For Schools

FRANKLIN, TN — Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson will ask the county's cities to raise sales taxes to help pay the county's schools debt.

An increase in property taxes has been rejected repeatedly, but the school system says it needs $421.45 million through 2022 to pay for new construction and renovations. Anderson plans to ask Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville and Thompson's Station to raise the local-option sales tax from 2.25 to 2.75 cents. Fairview is already at the maximum tax rate. Half of the increase will go to schools with cities retaining the other half. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

"Let's face it, our schools are the reason why people are moving here," Anderson told The Tennessean. "We need the cities to step up and help us. The vast majority of our growth is coming within those six city limits."

Over three years, the increase could generate $70 million.

Under state law, half of sales taxes go to the school district's general fund, but the Williamson County Board of Education voted last month to turn over its half of the increase to debt service instead. Any tax increase requires approval in a referendum by the county's voters held 75 to 90 days following a call for the referendum from the county commission.

Image via Williamson County Schools