Fifty-four-percent of Rockingham County residents voted in favor of the meals tax.

The four-percent tax will apply to restaurants in the county, outside of town limits. All of the revenue will go to county public schools.

However, most restaurants in the county feel this tax will take business away.

"We primarily cater to the older generation and hard working Americans. And they both fight for every penny they have and when it goes up, especially by four percent, it really tends to hurt them right in the pocket book," says Chef Aaron Digrassie, owner of Mrs. Rowe's Country Buffet.

Rockingham County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Fenn says the tax will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for education.

"Clearly we want to be transparent about what that additional 600,000 plus could mean for Rockingham County public schools. As we go through the budget process this fall, we will identify those needs, those goals and those initiatives that have to happen for our school division, and then look for support from the revenue from the meals tax," says Fenn.

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors will now have to pass an ordinance to allow the meals tax to take effect. Fenn expects it to happen within the next month.