SCOTT VOTERS REJECT ISSUES

BENTON -- Scott County voters defeated three countywide tax increase proposals Tuesday.

Two quarter-cent sales tax increases only received 42 percent of the vote. One proposal would have provided additional law enforcement services while the second would have built a new county jail.

The first was defeated, 2,562-3,446. The second lost 2,599-3,438.

A proposal for a 10-cent increase in the property tax to provide mental health services received only 34 percent of the vote, 2,056-3,933.

Turnout in Scott County was 28.2 percent with 6,282 casting ballots of the 22,236 registered.

Scott County voters were following the trend statewide by narrowly approving the proposed Constitutional Amendment 1, 2,809-2,609.

Scott County Clerk Rita Milam said the computerized ballots were scanned and counted by about 8:50 p.m.

Scott County Sheriff Bill Ferrell said he was naturally disappointed by the vote on the law enforcement and jail issues.

He said having a jail filled to capacity is an obvious problem that won't go away. As an example, he said there were 17 county prisoners in other jails Tuesday, as deputies had to take two prisoners to Perryville and two to Ste. Genevieve.

Ferrell said the jail operation has been able to get by so far, but he hopes there is no intervention by federal authorities or judges. If that happens, the cost of a new jail or repairs could be much more expensive for property owners.

"The voters have spoken," Ferrell said. "We will continue to run the facility we have now. There hasn't been any escapes and deaths in the jail during the 18 years I've been in office."

Ferrell said as sheriff, he has no say in who is put in jail or how long they stay. He can only let other county officials and judges know what the jail situation is.

County commissioners will have to decide if they want to ask the voters again for jail funding, Ferrell said. He appreciated the support of the committee and voters who backed the issues.