Monroe County residents will see an income tax increase during next year’s tax season.
County council passed a new ordinance that increases taxes to fund a new county jail.
In a 5-1 vote on Tuesday evening, the council voted yes on the 0.175 percent income tax increase. Council member Marty Hawk was the sole dissenting vote, while council member Cheryl Munson was absent.
Previous coverage: Monroe County Council holds public hearing on jail tax increase ahead of Tuesday vote
Hawk said that putting a tax in place without having specific plans set such as bed count and location to share with taxpayers was her main concern.
“I just feel like this is adding salt to the wound of the taxpayer to say, ‘we are going to tax you, and we'll let you know later exactly what we want to do with it,’” she said.
Previous coverage: Residents oppose proposal to build justice center on Vernal Pike property
The council’s original plan was to request a 0.2 percent increase, but they eventually decided to lower the amount in mid-September.
Council president Trent Deckard said that while there’s a time and place for a ‘wait and see’ approach, this issue is in dire need of action and forward progress.
“Wishing and looking back, will not get this issue done, and we've got to get this issue done,” he said. “Constitutional care, as I said a few weeks ago, has to mean something.”
Consultants who recommended the rate increase estimate construction of a new justice facility could cost around $152 million.
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