Boone County voters must decide on another public safety sales tax hike

By Susan Vela
Staff writer

Posted Nov 15, 2017 at 10:01 PM Updated Nov 15, 2017 at 10:01 PM

BELVIDERE — For the second time in less than a year, Boone County voters must decide whether putting money toward public safety is more important than plunking down more dollars at cash registers.

Board members voted unanimously, 12-0, Wednesday to put a question on the March 20 ballot that asks if the public safety sales tax should be increased from 0.5 percent to 1 percent.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and hopefully we have a lot of volunteers,” Board Chairman Karl Johnson said. “The first thing we have to do is we have to get some of our business leaders involved, get them on board and understanding how important better public safety is to Boone County as a whole.”

“While nobody wants to raise taxes, this is the most fair and equitable way that we can improve our public safety.”

The increase would generate about $1.4 million a year for public safety purposes that include building repairs, hiring new deputies and purchasing squad cars and equipment.

Above is from:  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20171115/boone-county-voters-must-decide-on-another-public-safety-sales-tax-hike