Voters OK Mercer County jail tax levy

CELINA - The second time was the charm for the Mercer County jail sales tax levy which was approved on Election Day with about 56% of the total vote.

Unofficial results show 9,525 ballots were cast in favor of the levy and 7,632 against it, a better showing compared to the the May 3 primary election when the issue was defeated by a mere 25 votes.  

"The men and women of the sheriff's office are grateful for the support of the community," county sheriff Jeff Grey said after the results were posted. "We can't thank them enough. We will be careful stewards of the money generated."

Revenue from the 10-year, 0.5% sales and use tax will help fund the operation or maintenance of the county jail, per the ballot language. Had the levy been voted down, all county departments would have been forced to make cuts totaling roughly $3.5 million annually to account for the loss of sales tax revenue. That would have inevitably result sin reduced services, officials said.

The levy is essentially a continuation of a 15-year, 0.5% sales and use tax for the jail passed by voters in November 2007 that expires March 31, 2023.

Revenue from the original levy was to build, equip and furnish a jail, pay off its debt and provide revenue for its operation or maintenance, according to county auditor Randy Grapner.

The levy that passed on Tuesday is not technically a renewal since the jail has been built and paid for. Per county documents, the average estimated annual expense of the jail is $5.2 million- $369,475 in maintenance/utilities, $134,615 in capital improvement, $3.96 million in salary and benefits and $741,386 in operations.

County officials say they still need the revenue source to fund the operation and maintenance of a 15-year-old jail that is showing signs of wear, with plumbing, air exchange systems and roof replacements looming in the near future. Computers and other equipment also periodically need updating.

There is also the high cost of personnel, including compensation, benefits and ongoing training requirements, Grey said. The sheriff's office encompasses several divisions. There are 76 current employees, of which 32 are assigned to corrections, according to Grey.

Revenue from the sales tax covers nearly 70% of the jail's operation and maintenance expenses. Commissioners have allocated roughly $1 million annually from the general fund to the jail account.

See all the local election results here.