Business owners and customers in Rockdale should note the retail sales tax will go back to 7 percent on April 1 due to the start of the one percent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax that was approved by voters in 2013.  

The ESPLOST, Rockdale County Public Schools’ fourth, is estimated to collect about $83.6 million over five years for capital projects such as building new schools, school security, and technology.  

The previous ESPLOST ended in March 2013, bringing the sales tax in Rockdale down to 6 percent.