City of Radford — Sales Tax (Radford City)

What it does

Should the City of Radford, Virginia, be authorized to levy a general retail sales tax at a rate not to exceed one percent (1%), with the revenues to be used solely for capital projects for new construction or major renovation of schools serving the City of Radford, Virginia, including related bond and loan financing costs, and with the tax expiring on June 30, 2046?

A YES vote means

Radford could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for new construction or major renovation of schools, including related bond and loan costs, expiring June 30, 2046.

A NO vote means

Radford would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Radford City Schools says City Council approved placing the referendum on the ballot in July. It says the tax could raise about $1.6 million a year for school construction and renovation, and by law cannot last more than 20 years from the date of the local resolution.

The division lists its biggest needs as structural wall cracking, active roof leaks, boarded-up windows and ADA issues at Radford High School and John Dalton Intermediate School.

The Patriot reported that Council approved the resolution 4-1 on Monday, July 13, 2026, with Mayor David Horton opposed. Horton said it would be better to wait until next year because the overall tax picture was not yet known.

Put on the ballot by Radford City Council, 4-1, July 13, 2026 (Mayor Horton dissenting; as reported by the Patriot).

From official source.

In the news

• City Council Approves Sales Tax Referendum · The Patriot (Pulaski County)

Next elections here

• Virginia election 2027 · November 2, 2027: All 100 House of Delegates seats and all 40 state Senate seats
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Radford mean?

Radford could levy an added local sales tax of up to 1%, used only for new construction or major renovation of schools, including related bond and loan costs, expiring June 30, 2046.

What does a NO vote on City of Radford mean?

Radford would not levy this added local sales tax for schools.

How many votes does City of Radford need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Radford?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.