Scott County tax

Next month voters in Scott County will be asked to continue the county's half-cent sales tax for law enforcement.

County commissioners make a convincing case for the extension and point to their stewardship of revenue from the tax since it was first passed in 2000.

Since then, the county has replaced its 40-bed jail with a 120-bed facility that will soon need to be expanded.

Revenue from the sales tax also supports the operations of the sheriff's department and the prosecuting attorney's office.

At some point, the commissioners would like to develop a justice center that would combine the sheriff's department, jail and prosecutor's office in one building, streamlining the processing of individuals facing charges.

The tax that passed in 2000 had a sunset provision, which is missing from the proposal on next month's ballot. Commissioners say the increasing costs of county law enforcement -- to $3.57 million, up from $2.96 million in 2005 -- would put a financial burden on the county's resources if the sales tax isn't extended.

Voters should give careful consideration to the plan to extend the county's sales tax for law enforcement.

The efficient administration of justice at a time when more cases and more inmates are being handled should be part of that evaluation.