Potential County Sales Tax Hike Could Help Build A New Jail
The money would be used for roads, bridges, and building a new $6 million jail.-->By: Jamiese Price
Updated: October 30, 2012
Geneva county voters will be deciding on more than a president next Tuesday--they will also vote on a one percent county sales tax increase. The money would be used for roads, bridges, and building a new $6 million jail.
The Geneva County jail is nearly 50 years old and through the years the building has seen its share of problems. County Commission Chairman Fred Hamic hopes a special referendum can help the county build a new one.
County Commissioners are asking voters to say yes to a one percent county sales tax increase, bringing the sales tax to nine percent. The money would be used for roads, bridges, and building a new $6 million jail
"It's just a bad situation. We have metal walls and the walls are rusted due to the humidity down in the jail. We used to repair them but there's nothing else to weld to. It's just a bad situation, said Hamic.
Hamic said he's concerned the wording on the ballot could discourage voters from checking yes on the ballot. As the referendum is written on the ballot, it doesn't explain how the money will be spent.
The referendum reads," Do you authorize the County Commission of Geneva County to levy an additional one percent sales tax use?"
"When we reassure the voters that the money will be spent as we say is will then the people are in favor of it. To tell you the truth if I didn't know what this was and I read it the way it's wrote on the ballot I would probably vote against myself. But that's not a true representation of how the money is going to be spent," explained Hamic.
Sheriff Greg Ward said in addition to the wear and tear--- the jail is limited on space.
"Repair, repair, and repair---you can't replace a jail that's outdated. You can't go in and put up new walls it has just reached its limit," said Ward.
.
