Only five absentee ballots returned in Scott County; balloting to be held today

Scott County voters have one question to answer on today's ballot: "Shall the County of Scott reduce its total property tax levy annually by 100 percent of the total amount of sales tax revenue collected in the same tax year and in conjunction therewith, impose a countywide one-half cent sales tax, provided that such sales tax shall expire on December 31, 2016?"

The answer will either result in retail stores adding a half-cent sales tax starting July 1 or in the county commission having to revise its 2009 budget and reduce expenses by up to $1 million, according to Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger.

County Clerk Rita Milam said Monday afternoon she had received "a lot of phone calls" about the election, but not as many absentee ballots as she had hoped. By 3:30 p.m. only five had been returned.

Polls open at 6 a.m. today and close at 7 p.m.

Voters with questions should call the Scott County Clerk's office at 573-545-3549.

-- Southeast Missourian