CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Early voting has begun in North Carolina and Currituck County is advising voters of a question that appears on the General Election Ballot.

The Local Sales and Use Tax Referendum is located at the end of the ballot and citizens are asked to vote “For” or “Against” it.

Conducted by the Currituck County Board of Commissioners, the intention is to ease the county’s reliance on property tax revenue to fund county services.

Counties in North Carolina are permitted to levy a 1/4 cent sales tax, subject to voter approval, with the revenue to be used for county services. The 1/4 cent sales tax would generate approximately $2.4 million annually, per a release.

If the referendum passes, Currituck County plans to use the funding for public safety departments, such as the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office and Fire-Emergency Medical Services.

For additional information on the sales tax referendum, click here. Contact information for county commissioners is available here.