TROY, Ohio — Voters in Miami County have made a decision on a county-wide sales tax to build a new jail.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the sales tax levy failed.
Over 10,000 people voted no, and over 6,000 people voted yes for the levy.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man killed, 2 others seriously hurt after car crashes into Amish buggy
- Unlicensed dentist in Ohio accused of illegal practice, making over $400K
- Car slams into home, narrowly missing homeowner
As previously reported, if approved, everyone in the county would see a sales tax increase of a half percent.
The money would’ve been used to build a new jail.
Currently, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office operates two jail facilities located downtown. The facilities opened in the early 1970s.
Since September, Sheriff Dave Duchak has given over 100 tours of the current facilities, allowing people to see the state of the buildings.
The community members had a chance to ask questions and decide on their own if the jail was something they wanted to spend money on.
If the levy had passed, the downtown jail would have closed. The new facility would’ve been built on North County Road.
Sheriff Duchak and County Commissioner Wade Westfall said the voters spoke, and they respect their decision.
But now comes the tough decision.
“From whether it be happen, to put money into this particular facility, to Band Aid it, for better lack of words,” Westfall said.
“Talking about putting a million dollars into a facility that doesn’t have the capacity to meet the incarceration needs of Miami County today,” Duchak said.
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
