It looks like Sheriff Sam Page will get his new $4.5 million office next to the new jail, but not without a property tax increase:
A discussion on the issue is scheduled for tonight’s county commissioners meeting.
Some commissioners agree on adding the sheriff’s office to the $40.3 million courthouse and jail construction plans. None have shot it down.
Chairman Harold Bass, a Democrat, said that he’d like to see it added.
Commissioner Amelia Dallas agreed.
“It’s going to have to be faced at some point,” said Dallas, also a Democrat.
Commissioners Bobby Stanley, a Democrat, and Republican David Isley said they want to hear what the public thinks about it first.
Both said that at least a half-cent property tax rate increase per $100 valuation may be needed to cover the expense.
“It was not in the capital improvements addition to the tax rate,” Isley said, referring to the 5-cent increase in property tax rate that commissioners levied last summer.
