A referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot in Mathews will ask county voters if they are in favor of the imposition of a 4 percent meals tax at restaurants and other places where prepared food is sold.

Money raised from that tax would be applied toward a capital improvement fund for Mathews County, Mathews County Public Schools and public safety purchases and projects, according to a resolution approved by the board on Aug. 16.

If approved, the tax is expected to raise a minimum of $300,000 the first year it is implemented, county administrator Mindy Conner announced at a Sept. 7 work session.

This is the second time that Mathews residents have voted on a meals tax referendum. In 2014, the proposal was defeated by a 63.21 percent to 36.78 percent margin. That time around, revenues raised through the proposed meals tax would have gone into the general fund. ...