Preliminary results show 80% approval for proposition
WATONGA – Blaine County voters appear to have approved a measure that will expand the accepted uses for an existing tax without increasing it.
The ballot question will allow the Blaine County government to “modify the purpose” of a 0.5% sales tax that was originally levied in 2004. Previously, the tax could only be used for “maintaining and operating” the Blaine County Courthouse and jail, but now the tax can be used for jail construction and “improving” both facilities.
The new wording will give the county more flexibility in how it spends the general fund. Blaine County Clerk D. Jennifer Haigler told the Watonga Republican earlier this month that there is about $13 million in that account already.
The new proposal does not affect separate sales tax revenues collected to operate local volunteer fire departments and EMS districts, she later clarified.
The county hopes to finance new jail construction with the expanded language. Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daugherty previously told the Republican that the jail doesn’t have enough cells, frequently requires maintenance, and has even flooded his offices underneath the jail.
The passed measure also allows the funds to be used for “payment of debt service on obligations issued to finance said courthouse and jail facilities.”
The proposition goes into effect on Aug. 1.