This November, Mathews voters may get the opportunity to vote on a referendum to decide whether the county will impose a meals tax on local restaurants.

County board members, meeting Tuesday night in the historic courthouse, unanimously agreed to petition the circuit court for permission to hold a public referendum during the Nov. 4 general election to let the public decide the matter, as required by state law.

The tax would be the maximum allowed of 4 percent on sales of food and beverages sold in restaurants and other establishments that provide prepared food, such as convenience stores and grocery stores. It would not apply to items sold in vending machines.

The question that would be included on the November ballot would read: “Shall Mathews County be authorized to levy a tax as permitted by Section 58.1-3833 of the Code of Virginia, on foods and beverages sold for human consumption by restaurants and on prepared sandwiches and single-meal platters sold at delicatessen cou...