Among the many ballot measures in yesterday's election were provisions that raise county sales taxes by half a percentage point.
Lee County voters approved a half percent sales tax increase. Saukvalley.com reports the measure was approved by 64%. About $1.1 million would go towards funding a new public safety facility, which will include an 80-bed jail, the sheriff’s department, the coroner’s office and the 911 Center. County Sheriff John Simonton says the current facility doesn’t meet state standards and infrastructure issues.
A similar measure failed in Boone County. Officials wanted to use revenue from the hike to bolster public safety funds. The money would have been used for new equipment, additional deputies and repairing public safety buildings. The Rockford Register Star reports several business owners told county board members they believed the tax hike would discourage people from shopping in Belvidere.