> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Chesterfield the latest locality to seek 1% sales tax increase for school construction
- URL: https://www.richmonder.org/chesterfield-the-latest-locality-to-seek-1-sales-tax-increase-for-school-construction/
- Published: 2026-07-21T20:52:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-31T01:21:47.000Z
- Description: The resolution to put the motion on the ballot will be voted on during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
- Author: Eleanor Shaw
- Tags: Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County is one of the latest Central Virginia localities to eye putting a 1% sales tax increase on November’s ballot — if approved by voters, all proceeds would go toward constructing and renovating schools.

The resolution to put the question on the ballot will be voted on during Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. From there, voters will decide the increase’s fate at the polls on Nov. 3.

The General Assembly’s budget gave localities permission to increase their sales tax to fund school projects with voter approval. If Chesterfield’s residents ultimately accept the tax increase, it’s projected to raise about $65-70 million a year, or a little more than $1 billion over the next 20 years.

Between 2000 and 2025, [Chesterfield’s total enrollment](https://www.chesterfield.gov/5003/StratIS-Data-Reports) steadily increased from approximately 50,000 to 64,000\. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-ebc9e8e9-fbe3-48f6-862e-9aadc5fbfae5.png)

([Source](https://www.chesterfield.gov/5003/StratIS-Data-Reports))

Chesterfield has been trying to keep up with demand. [As part of a 2013 bond referendum](https://www.chesterfield.gov/5004/Bond-Referendums#:~:text=2013%20Bond%20Referendum-,2013%20Bond%20Referendum,-In%20November%202013), 11 schools were either renovated or constructed between [2018 and 2023](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/3714). Another bond referendum, [passed in 2022](https://www.chesterfield.gov/5004/Bond-Referendums#:~:text=School%20Facilities%2C%20Subtotal%20%24375%20million), allocated $375 million to replace four schools, construct two and expand one.

The county’s most recent addition was [Deep Creek Middle School](https://deepcreekms.oneccps.org/), which opened in August 2025\. Next month, [Deep Creek Elementary School](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4412#:~:text=Deep%20Creek%20Elementary%20School%20is%20scheduled%20to%20be%20open%20August%202026) is set to open. 

The Richmonder requested comment from Chesterfield County Public Schools and didn’t receive a response by deadline.

[Richmond](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-officials-pursue-voter-referendum-on-new-sales-tax-for-schools/), [Charlottesville](https://cvillerightnow.com/news/208802-charlottesville-eyes-eight-possible-school-projects-to-fund-with-sales-tax-raise/) and [Powhatan County](https://www.powhatanva.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/395) are among other localities to consider increasing their sales tax for school construction. The Richmonder reached out to Henrico County asking about its plans, but didn’t receive a response.

## Sign up for The Richmonder

Our free newsletter arrives three times a week, and gives you the local news you need. New here? [Learn more about us.](https://www.richmonder.org/hi/)

Sign up 

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. 

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Powhatan approved its ballot measure on July 6, while Richmond’s City Council is expected to approve the option for city voters on Monday, July 27.

*Contact Eleanor Shaw at* [*eshaw@richmonder.org*](mailto:eshaw@richmonder.org)*. She is a Report for America corps member. This article has been corrected to reflect that the county expects to raise $1 billion over 20 years.*