04/02/2026
Should I vote "No" on sales tax?
Don't let "Property Tax Relief" distract you from a Net Tax Increase.
We’re hearing a lot about the proposed sales tax increases in Jefferson County, specifically the promise of property tax reductions. But here is the part of the story they aren't putting on the flyers:
For every $1.00 the county collects from you in new sales tax, your property taxes only go down by $0.50.
That isn't a "swap"—it's a net tax increase. If you live in an area without a massive retail base, you’ll be paying more at the register every day just to see a tiny fraction of that come off your property bill.
Before you vote, ask yourself: Is a small discount on your annual bill worth paying more for every single non-grocery purchase you make for the rest of the year?
Finally: Sales taxes are regressive and hit the poor and middle class pocket books harder.
