Tax hike to pay for Franklin County public safety failing

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- A sales tax increase to help pay for a jail expansion and public safety enhancements in Franklin County appears to be failing, but officials said they're hopeful that ballots still left to count will trend in their favor.

The public safety sales tax, or Proposition 1, was being rejected with 3,436 no votes, or 52 percent, to 3,164 yes votes Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Franklin County auditor.

"It is close enough that something could change," said Franklin County Commissioner Rick Miller, noting there's just a 272-vote difference. "With it that narrow it could change, but generally (remaining ballot counts) follow the same pattern."

The ballot measure would increase the 8.3 percent sales tax by 0.3 percent -- 3 cents on a $10 purchase. It needs a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote to pass.

"We figured it'd probably be close," said Franklin County Sheriff Richard Lathim. "I think with the vote-by-mail ballots, I don't think the percentage will change ... but it just depends on how many thousand are left out there."

Ballots went out to 23,903 voters and 6,823 were counted so far, while 800 ballots were still left to count. The next tally will be Friday and the election will be certified Nov. 24.

County officials put Proposition 1 on the ballot to let the voters decide whether they wanted to pay for public safety improvements with a sales tax increase. The tax measure was expected to bring in about $3 million a year, which was going to be earmarked to pay off 30-year bonds to build a new police station in Pasco and more than double the size of the county jail.

Miller said officials weren't sure what would happen at the polls because there never was an organized opposition to the tax increase nor was there a noticeable vote "yes" movement.

"Considering the economy, I'm actually surprised it has done that well," Miller said. "It's a decision of the people. If people want it, I think that's good. ... I would be impressed if it does come in and have a victory. I think it would be good for the county and then it shows that people know we do need it."

The sales tax increase would have been split with the county receiving 60 percent of the increased revenue, and the city receiving the remaining 40 percent. It was set to expire in 2039.

If the tax measure ends up being rejected, Miller said officials would have to look at the final numbers and try to get a feel from voters about why it failed and whether they should try again.

The need isn't going away, he said, but it's up to the voters to decide.

"The thing is, we are in a crisis here," Miller said. "The jail is over population and we will have to let people out. Five years from now, we're going to have a problem."

To the west, in Yakima County, voters have once again supported the criminal justice sales tax. The measure, which would renew the .03 percent sales tax increase for another six years, was approved by 78 percent of voters, 21,910 to 6,120.

-- Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com

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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Tax hike to pay for Franklin County public safety failing

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer