Perry County voters extend road improvement tax

After Perry County voters approved extending a countywide sales tax for road improvements Tuesday, Presiding Commissioner Carl Leuckel said the county commission will meet Thursday to start discussing roads that are most in need of improvements.

Of the 2,001 votes, 76 percent were in favor of the three-eighths-cent tax for road improvements and maintenance. Twenty-four percent were opposed to extending the sales tax another six years.

So far the sales tax, in effect since 2004, has helped to pave 75 miles of the county's 480 miles of highway.

The commission hadn't previously completed a list of roads needing maintenance, as any improvements were based on whether the voters would approve the

tax.

"I am very proud of the people of Perry County tonight," Leuckel

said.

Before the vote, Perry County road and bridge supervisor Randy Steffens said if voters approved the extension he and his crew would most likely be putting down new rock on gravel roads that have not been paved.