The Mathews County Board of Supervisors has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. Tuesday in order to determine whether to place a voter referendum on the November ballot regarding levying an additional 1 percent sales tax in Mathews to support the schools. The meeting will be held in the historic courthouse.

Chairman Tom Bowen has spoken a number of times about the need for such a tax to help pay for much-needed renovations in the schools, including to help pay down the debt on the $12 million in debt the county took on this year to pay for a new fire station and address the maintenance backlog in schools and county buildings. The sales tax revenue may be used only for new school construction or major school renovation.

The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill during the session ending on June 20 to allow localities to levy such a tax. It states that the sales tax may not be levied on food purchased for human consumption or essential personal hygiene products.

Included in the packet for the meeting is an executive summary of the bill that the general assembly passed, as it relates to the future of Virginia school construction. It provides the rationale for the tax, along with the projected impact it could have on each locality.

Bowen said he expects the board to vote Tuesday on whether to hold the referendum.

To access the packet, visit mathewscova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2733/files/agenda/3287.