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 slightly more than $1 billion per year.

Between 2000 and 2025, Chesterfield’s total enrollment steadily increased from approximately 50,000 to 64,000. 

Chesterfield has been trying to keep up with demand. As part of a 2013 bond referendum, 11 schools were either renovated or constructed between 2018 and 2023. Another bond referendum, passed in 2022, allocated $375 million to replace four schools, construct two and expand one.

The county’s most recent addition was Deep Creek Middle School, which opened in August 2025. Next month, Deep Creek Elementary School is set to open. 

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

Richmond, Charlottesville and Powhatan County 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.

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. She is a Report for America corps member.