“Thank you to everyone who has worked hard to share information and support the sales tax levy,” said Clark County Commission President Sasha Rittenhouse. “It is disappointing that we were not successful, but we will continue to explore our options for a new public safety building.”
“While I respect the will of the people, I am deeply disappointed by this outcome and concerned abut what it means for the future safety of our community,” said Sheriff Chris Clark. “I remain committed to working with county leaders, community partners and the public to find a way forward.”
Clark County’s current sales tax is 7.25%, which includes the state sales tax of 5.75% and the county sales tax of 1.5%. This ballot measure would have increased the sales tax to 7.75%.
Things that are exempt from sales tax include groceries, prescription drugs, certain medical items, medical equipment, agricultural products and manufacturing equipment, baby products and others.
Costs for a new facility are estimated at $100 million, according to the county. Project costs include $77 million in construction costs, $16.5 million for professional services (architects, project management, etc.), a $4.1 million contingency fund and $2.3 million for site acquisition and preparation.
If the levy would have passed, county officials believed they could have at least gotten $15 million from the state to help, along with the $2 million they have in reserves. The 0.5% sales tax increase would have given the county $10 million a year.
Once enough funds were raised, county commissioners could have voted to remove the additional tax.
Since the levy didn’t pass, the county will not be meeting jail standards. The county could try bringing the levy before voters again in the spring, but the county may have to cut services.
The current jail — housed in the public safety building downtown along with offices of the Springfield Police Division and Clark County Sheriff’s Office — is too small and noncompliant with multiple state standards.
The 9,200-square-foot jail was built in 1977 as a result of a federal mandate and opened in 1980 for $8.2 million. It was built as a 168-bed facility with three holding cells and 11 isolation cells.
The new building will potentially be constructed in the south of Springfield close to Interstate 70.
A purchase agreement was authorized in August for four parcels of land from Allen C. Armstrong for an almost 30-acre farm field in the 2600 block of South Limestone Street in the amount of $1 million, plus closing costs not to exceed $100,000.
The facility would be 130,000 to 140,000 square feet with 454 beds and would give them room to add on to or expand on that facility if they would need to in the future.
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