Voters say yes to water question, no to use tax

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

In Tuesday's election, voters resoundingly defeated a proposed 1 percent out-of-state use tax for Vernon County, with 4.962 voting "no," and 3035 voting "yes."

Commissioners said Wednesday that not having the tax will mean less money in next year's budget, but it was no surprise voters rejected the measure.

Presiding Commissioner Bonnie McCord said that it garnered more support than she'd expected, because the issue hadn't been well publicized.

Northern Commissioner Neal Gerster noted that elected officials cannot promote ballot issues; they can only educate and inform voters about proposed issues like the use tax.

Commissioners aren't looking at putting the use tax on the ballot again any time soon; especially since a new commissioner, Everett Wolfe, will be taking over the southern commissioner's seat being vacated by Kennon Shaw, in January.

An unrelated ballot issue in Schell City fared better on Tuesday, when voters OKed the proposal to purchase water via Public Water District No. 1. Ninety-five voters were in favor of the measure; 22 voted against it.

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