YELLVILLE — Voters in Marion County will again consider whether to raise their sales tax to pay for the construction of a new jail.
The Marion County Quorum Court on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that will put a proposed 0.50 percent sales tax increase on the November ballot. If approved, the tax revenue will pay for construction of a new $8.25 million jail.
The Harrison Daily Times reported that officials say a new jail is needed because the current facility is out of compliance and at risk of being shut down.
In March, voters rejected a proposed 0.75 percent sales tax that would have funded construction of a 94-bed jail. Voters then did approve a 0.25 percent sales tax increase to fund the operation and maintenance of a new jail.