Lincoln County citizens, at least those who took time enough to go vote during the recent special election, have spoken.
They oppose paying any further property taxes. Vote totals provided by the Lincoln County Election Board showed 2,406 citizens voted on Proposition 1, which would have created an Emergency Medical Services District. It was opposed by 63.7 percent of those voting.
That basically was setting up a countywide ambulance service.
Proposition 2, had it passed, would have funded a $13.5 million new jail for the county. Only 2,402 voted on it. More than 78 percent voted against it.
Total number of eligible registered voters in the county is 19,769, County Election Board Secretary Melissa Stambaugh said.
That equates to a turnout of 12.17 percent of the eligible voters, she has confirmed.
Cost of the special election was $10,477.44, she said.
It may be a case of voter apathy or it could be that a large percentage of eligible voters didn’t even know there was a special election taking place.
County Commission Chairman Lee Doolen pointed out the night of the election, “we’ll look for another way to do it.”
County Sheriff Charlie Dougherty, also commenting the night of the election stated, “We’ll go back to the drawing board, it is what is. The numbers speak for themselves. I’m pleased the voters came out and voiced their opinion. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”
However the campaign was conducted, it appears it didn’t reach the voting populace and failed to resonate with many voters.
There were efforts through social media to get the word out and explain the issues. There was even a public forum at the courthouse that provided a question and answer session.
However, on propositions like these, where taxes are concerned and are being increased on property owners, a grassroots campaign is needed. Take the issues to the people through community meetings across the county in the various cities and towns.
According to a fact sheet on letterhead from County Assessor Jackie Holcomb, passing the jail question would have raised taxes by up to $55 a year on property valued at $100,000 and could remain in effect for up to 30 years.
Approving the ambulance question would have raised taxes by $33 a year on property valued at $100,000 and would be a permanent increase unless voters later remove it.
Explain to them what is at hand, and find out what they support.
This should be done long before a vote is taken to even call the election.
Gather their input and especially try and determine how they would fund it, providing the options and what the approximate cost to them will be over a period of time.
That could provide for a better outcome and increase voter turnout.