MADISON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A proposed sales tax increase to operate a new jail has voters lining up for early voting in Madison County.
Voters in Madison County will weigh the cost of a sales tax increase with the potential benefits of staffing a new jail that was voted on in 2022. Arkansas is two days into early voting, and officials say turnout might be higher than the 2020 election in Madison County.
Officials say the hot topic on the ballot is the 1 cent sales tax increase for jail operations and that the jail can’t operate without it.
Vic Meyers is a long-time resident of Madison County. He thinks that the sales tax increase is on the ballot this year because they need the funds to operate the jail now that it’s been built. “What happened is they actually funded the building of the jail. They did not have it in the fiscal system to fund the operation of the jail,” said Meyers.
Sheriff Ronnie Boyd says they have been using an “EMS fund,” and that funding the jail will cost a minimum of $700,000. But that is not the only thing. “Then you’ve have health care. You have to feed the prisoners. The food cost. You know, all the other expenses come along with it,” said Boyd.
Boyd says that it’s improbability to operate without funds, and if this does pass, it would help. “We’re taking money from EMS. I want to give that money back to them. I think we can accomplish that by the end of next year if this sales tax passes. If it doesn’t, then it’s going to keep on going. I don’t know, for two years more.” said Boyd.
For more information on voting locations for Madison County, click here.
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