Lincoln County commissioners this week continued their discussion on funding of a new jail/and or a countywide ambulance service, eyeing a June election date.
The agenda item was limited to discussion of the issue and so commissioners couldn’t take a vote Monday on anything they and other officials were discussing.
Commissioners, during a three-hour meeting, spent considerable time discussing a possible sales tax or possible ad valorem tax election to fund a new jail estimated to cost around $12 million along with a new countywide ambulance service.
The discussion focused on a sales tax. County officials, lawyers and financial experts involved in Monday’s discussion leaned heavily toward using a sales tax rather than an ad valorem tax.
It was pointed out an ad valorem tax bond election would require 60 percent voter approval and would require two ballots because of the two issues.
A sales tax vote would require only one ballot and take a simple majority to pass.
Those discussing it believed the sales tax would be more acceptable to the public.
Officials think it needs to be called a Public Safety issue since the revenue raised from the election would fund construction of a new jail and the countywide ambulance service.
The financial experts who attended the Monday meeting presented information on the amount of revenue a quarter cent, three eighths of a cent, half cent and three quarters of a cent would generate annually.
Their estimated annual revenue did not project any growth, they noted, indicating they were being “very conservative.”
The lawyers and financial representatives were asked to have some ballot language available by the commissioners’ next regularly scheduled meeting on March 22.
Commission Chairman Lee Doolen pointed out, “by doing that, commissioners would have two more regular meetings and on April 5 could call an election for June 8.
Sheriff Charlie Dougherty, who attended Monday’s meeting, said during an interview last month he favors a sales tax issue. He also thinks the countywide ambulance service is critically important.
“I hate to use ad valorem tax for a jail. I think people who are going to use the jail ought to help pay for it and the people using it aren’t going to own property,” he said.
“If we run the ambulance and jail together, we get the best of two worlds,” Dougherty said.
He added, “There’s a critical need for both. I think the citizens need to vote and tell us what they want.”
The sheriff also has said, “The proposed jail is for 151 beds.”
He added, “The 151 would allow me to contract out many beds, saying, “We could make money. We’re trying to do what’s in the best interest of the county,” Dougherty said.
In other business Monday:
Commissioners approved a Disaster Emergency Proclamation for the winter storm of February 2021.
They decided to table bids for new motor graders that were opened during the meeting.
They tabled them until their March 22 meeting.
Following lengthy discussion, commissioners approved boundary changes to the Lincoln County EMS Districts to include a Wellston EMS District.
They discussed the first draft for the Lincoln County Roads and Bridges SFY2020 six-year plan updates.
Commissioners accepted a quote from Apprentice for a camera system in the payment annex building that will include five cameras.
They agreed to approve the use of a new payroll claim form with the stipulation the old form could still be used.
They voted to approve a construction option for awning removal at the payment annex that includes utilizing county personnel from each one of their districts.