The Appalachian would like to express its concern with the voter turnout on Appalachian State University’s campus for the Aug. 31 sales tax referendum.

The proposed tax would increase sales tax by a quarter-cent (25 cents for every $100 spent) for most non-grocery items.

According to county documents, the additional revenue was to go “toward the construction of a gymnasium and a recreation center in Boone, an Eastern Watauga

Community Center and the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Plan to upgrade facilities and amenities at the County’s existing parks,” as reported in the Aug. 31 edition of The Appalachian.