SENIOR CITIZEN TAX FAILS IN SCOTT COUNTY

BENTON -- Voters in Scott County ignored the endorsement of their county commission Tuesday in rejecting a property tax increase that would have helped to fund services for senior citizens in the county.

By a 710-vote margin, voters rejected a proposition, dubbed "the senior tax," which would have raised $150,000 annually for a senior citizens service fund.

Of the 10,644 votes cast, 5,677 or 53 percent voted no and 4,967 voted yes on the proposition.

The proposition would have levied a tax of $.05 per each $100 assessed valuation on all taxable property. The revenues raised would have been earmarked by the county commission for services to people 60 years of age or older.

Among the services that would have been funded by the tax would have been three nutrition centers in the county, senior citizen transportation services, senior volunteer programs, counseling and support services, home health services and crisis services.

Senior advocates had warned that if the proposition was defeated at the polls, Scott County senior citizens could face a decrease in services.

When writing the resolution that put the issue on Tuesday's ballot, the commission said it recognized the need for the county's senior citizen organizations and the "essential services" the groups provide.

Outgoing presiding commissioner Bob Kielhofner said last month that the commission not only supported putting the initiative on the ballot, but supported the tax itself.

This is the second time Scott County voters have rejected tax initiative to fund senior services. Voters rejected a sales tax increase in April 1997 by a similar margin. Revenues from the sales tax would have gone into a senior fund.