ELECTION 2016: Clay County Proposes a Half Cent Sales Tax Increase for New Jail

Clay County voters will be asked for a half cent sales tax increase to help build a new jail.
 
Officials say the current one is too small and not up to state standards.
 
Construction is already underway for the new Clay County Jail.

The current jail is in what officials call a small, outdated and deteriorating building.

Officials say the jail is over capacity, with more than 40 inmates currently moved to jails outside the county.

Now the people of Clay County have two options:
 
“One being an increase to the property tax that we all pay in Clay County, or the other option is a referendum that will allow us to have a half cent sales tax with a limited amount of time,” said Moorhead Police Chief David Ebinger.
 
If a majority votes yes, this sales tax increase would last for 20 years, or until the project is completely paid off.
 
If the vote does not pass, Clay County officials say property taxes will increase and it could be in the double digits.
 
“A property tax would have a huge negative impact on the Moorhead businesses, and on farms and other property owners in the county,” said Moorhad Business Association Executive Director David Hunstad.
 
We reached out to a few voters, and so far, people seem to be okay with this.
 
“I think they need a new jail,” said John Villiard of Moorhead. “That’s it. I think it’s a necessity.”
 
“The facilities are old and out of date, and a little overcrowded and I think it’s a good way to fund a new jail,” agreed Mary Rice of Moorhead. “Half a cent is not that much.”
 
An increase to the property tax does not require a vote.

County officials say they expect construction of the new facilities to be done by fall of 2018.