Blount voters reject wheel tax 2 to 1
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Blount (blunt’) County residents have defeated a wheel tax proposal by more than two to one.
The Daily Times reported the referendum on Wednesday produced 4,087 votes in favor of a $35 county wheel tax and 8,885 votes against it. The proposal was intended to help plug a shortfall in the Blount County Schools budget for fiscal 2013-14.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported the issue failed in all 35 precincts, with some tallying more than 5-to-1 against it.
Schools officials said rejection of the tax means up to 84 employees could lose their jobs, including teaching and administrative positions as well as building maintenance and custodian jobs.
