Officials, citizens celebrate passing of law enforcement sales tax
Nevada Daily Mail
Area residents joined Vernon County officials in a celebration conducted at the Nevada Elks Lodge Wednesday night, in honor of the passage of a one-half-cent sales tax that will fund ongoing law enforcement expenses and the construction of a new jail for Vernon County.
Voters approved the measure on April 3, with more than 70 percent of votes cast in favor of it, after an intense campaign highlighting the need for an up-to-date jail and sheriff's office, and the need to provide stronger financial support for law enforcement operations in general. The tax will roll back to one-fourth percent when the jail, estimated to cost an estimated $6.4 million, is paid for.
On the Wednesday following the election, Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman said, "We are extremely excited about the election outcome. We worked very hard getting the information out to the public and it paid off. We should break ground on the new facility this fall and hope to be in the new jail by the fall of next year. Right now we have to go through all the drawings, biddings, staying under our budget for this project and basically just getting down to business and get this project rolling. Thank you so much to all of the citizens of Vernon County for understanding the need for the new facility and supporting economic growth in our area."
County officials and citizens who had supported the measure gathered for the reception, at which county officials took the opportunity to thank those who had helped this happen.