No Sales, Transfer Tax on Wake Ballot

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County voters won't be asked to approve a land transfer tax or sales tax increase this fall, officials said.

County Manager David Cooke told members of the county Board of Commissioners on Monday that he has no plans to propose placing a referendum on the new tax options on the local ballot until at least next year.

County officials need time to develop a capital plan for what to do with the revenue generated by any new tax.

State lawmakers approved giving counties the option of levying a 0.25 percent local sales tax or a 0.4 percent tax on the price of real estate sales to generate more revenue for needed infrastructure like schools, roads and water and sewer lines.

Durham County officials are surveying public support for either of the two taxes and is looking at placing a referendum on the ballot this fall. A final decision on how to proceed could come at the Aug. 27 Board of Commissioners meeting.