Madison County proposes 1 cent sales tax increase for jail operations

MADISON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Leaders in Madison County are trying again to get a sales tax passed, and this time it would fund the operations at its new jail.

In 2022, voters did pass a sales tax increase to build the new jail, but they did not pass the tax to help run it. “Since the jail is now nearing completion, it’s time to start training new jailers,” Madison County Judge Larry Garrett. “The dispatchers are pulling double duty as jailers right now, and the funding from a 1 cent sales tax could help resolve that issue.”

Madison County has already started working on an ordinance with the county clerk for residents to vote on it in August. “The quorum court’s excited since we’re having another general election. This November — it was a good time to go ahead and reintroduce it to the voters,” County Clerk Austin Boatwright said.

A portion of Madison County residents are also frustrated that this is the second time they are being asked to pay heightened taxes.

“It could go either way, but hopefully it’s a good thing. I think it is. I have a lot of faith in the local officials here, especially the sheriff. He’s a good guy.” said Yoder.

“The community should realize the importance of having a jail,” Garrett said.

“If we want something or need something, to be able to operate it, we have to have a tax to do it,” Garrett said.

The quorum court will decide in August whether to put this measure on the November ballot.

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