KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tuesday, Knoxville voters are deciding whether to approve a half-cent sales tax increase that city leaders say could generate about $47 million in new revenue each year.

Currently, 72% of Knoxville and Knox County’s local option sales tax goes to fund Knox County Schools. But if the city passes the tax increase, and the county does not, the district could miss out on millions of dollars.

If both the city and county approve the measure, groceries could become more expensive.

The proposed city sales tax increase would exempt groceries, utilities, gasoline, and doctor visits. However, those exemptions could disappear if the county later adopts a similar increase.

“If this goes to the county and it is passed at the county level, all groceries will be taxed,” said Betsy H

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