WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Forsyth County believes the courthouse needs improvements and voters need to decide whether they want to raise sales tax or property taxes. 

• A new courthouse in Forsyth County is approved.
• If voters say they are "for" this referendum, anyone who shops in Forsyth County  will pay more in taxes.
• If voters don't pass this sales tax referendum, the courthouse will be paid for by increasing property taxes.

"[The County] made a decision this year to go ahead and move forward with building a new Hall of Justice,” said Kyle Haney with Forsyth County.

Now it's approved, the question is where the money will come from.

"They put the sales tax referendum, which is a quarter cent increase over the 6.75 right now on the ballot as one of the options to fund that courthouse,” Haney explained.

So if voters say they are "for" this referendum, anyone who shops in Forsyth County, even out of towners, will pay a bit more in taxes.

"Groceries and gas, fuel, are exempt. But everything else, you'll be paying seven cents instead of 6.75 cents,” Haney said.

The county estimates that increase will raise about $14 million in the first year which would pay for the courthouse with money left over. Forsyth County says about 40 percent of the extra money will most likely go towards schools.

"I think the discussion was around increasing the teacher salary supplement,” Haney said. “In addition to that, it would go to other capital projects or relieving the property tax."

If voters don't pass this sales tax referendum, the courthouse will still be paid for, but, that money would come from an increase in your property taxes.

“That would be a 3.1-cent increase in the Forsyth County property taxes,” Haney explained.

All of that money would go towards paying the debt on the new courthouse.

"I was not aware it was going to the courthouse, and I would not be in favor of a new courthouse,” said Old Salem resident Keith Wheeler.

Some voters Spectrum News spoke with say the fact that this increase would fund the courthouse isn't apparent right away. Campaign signs in favor of passing the sales tax say "support teachers and schools" and "keep property taxes low."

"So that looks a little bit misleading to me when I read on that,” Wheeler said as he was on his way in to cast his ballot.

"I think it is in some ways misleading,” said Winston-Salem resident Robert Leak III just after he finished casting his vote. “I think it's important for individuals to understand, especially when you're voting, the knowledge of it."

Some say the county needs a new courthouse.

"I voted for it," Leak said.

Others think there are bigger priorities than the courthouse.

"That just reinforces my 'no' vote,” Wheeler said.

The issue is on the November 6 ballot.