Tax Revenues have jumped 339%
No Tax Increase Needed to Build Jail

By Catherine A. Stoker

Tax revenues to the county general fund have more than tripled since 1992, even though the county population has increased less than 15 percent during the same period.

This sales tax revenue can be used by the county commissioners for just about any service or improvement that benefits the county. In spite of this additional $15 Million per year income, the commissioners still state that they may increase our taxes to operate the new jail.

Analysis of the county's finances after the failed 1997 Jail Tax Levy revealed that the county had more than adequate revenue to build a new jail. Unfortunately, the county commissioners felt that building the new, extravagant office building for themselves was more important than keeping criminals off the street.

In order to pay for both building and operating a new jail, the county must institute firm spending controls on all departments financed wholly or in part by the general fund. Firm economic measures will allow future tax revenue increases (more than $1.5 million last year) to be applied to the current jail operation funds, providing the additional money needed to operate a larger jail by the time the new jail is ready to open.