Hancock County Commissioners Opt To Put Two Sales Tax Measures On November Ballot

8/8/17 – 11:27 A.M.
Update – 1:25 P.M.

Hancock County voters will see two separate sales tax issues on the ballot this fall. The Hancock County Commissioners voted Tuesday to place a 20-year quarter-percent sales tax for capital improvements, like expanding the county jail, on the ballot. They also voted to place a 10-year quarter-percent sales tax issue in front of voters. It would send money to the general fund…

Audio:Mark Gazarek

Commissioner Mark Gazarek says that Ohio law prevents the county from putting a levy on the ballot specifically dedicated to flood reduction.

The commissioners also voted in favor of a resolution that makes a quarter percent of the current sales tax permanent…

Audio:Tim Bechtol

Commissioner Tim Bechtol says the county will use that money to pay for operations. He added no one objected to operational funding during public hearings on the subject.

Commissioner Brian Robertson says he thinks this makes the most sense going forward…

Audio:Brian Robertson

Robertson says putting two issues on the ballot give residents a chance to have a line-item vote about the issues they deem most important.

Bechtol says the commissioners made the decision after listening to voters in the county…

Audio:Tim Bechtol

Gazarek says he thinks this approach will clear things up for voters…

Audio:Mark Gazarek

Robertson says when it comes to the capital improvement sales tax, elected officials are asking for the public’s help to tackle issues of crime in the community…

Audio:Brian Robertson

Robertson says that 14 elected officials in the county agree the need to improve the jail as well as the probate court situation is great. He adds they’ll be working the next several months to drum up support for the issues.