http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/greene-county-voters-speak-loudly-increase-sales-tax-improve-public-safety_35104.mp3
With an 11 percent voter turnout in Greene County, more than 67 percent of voters favored increasing the sales tax by one-eighth of one percent to fund law enforcement needs. KSMU’s Samuel Crowe was on hand at the Greene County Judicial Courts Facility in Springfield Tuesday night where supporters of the increase waited for the results. He files this report.
SOUND: excited celebration
A crowd about 20 supporters celebrated loudly as the results of the vote on the public safety sales tax came in: slightly more than 67 percent of those who casted ballots Tuesday supported the sales tax increase. Supporters estimate it will generate about five million dollars. That money will fund 18 more patrol deputies, 6 detectives, more jail staff and attorneys in the Greene County Prosecutor’s office.
Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott was pleased with the results.
“I’m overwhelmed. I’m really excited that the voters recognized our message, they stood behind us, and they voted ‘yes’ for it. And that sends a message not only to the rest of the community but to law enforcement that public safety is our top priority,” Arnott said.
While there was no organized opposition to the tax increase, Greene County Presiding Commissioner Jim Viebrock had expressed concerns with the timing of the ballot measure. KSMU could not reach Viebrock Tuesday night for comment on passage of the tax increase.
In the meantime, Greene County Commissioner Harold Bengsch says he has no doubt the sales tax increase will result in a safer community.
“Whenever you can put more officers on the street, and they desperately need it in the Sheriff’s Department, not only is apprehension of criminals faster, but what’s more important, the prevention of crime is going to happen. That’s what we’re really after, is preventing crime from happening in the first place,” Bengsch said.
The new tax will take effect in June, according to Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott, and he says final plans for how the funding will be spent will be implemented by the end of the year. For KSMU News, I’m Samuel Crowe.