Yakima County Commissioners Looking For Support Of Sales Tax

The Yakima County Commissioners are hoping voters support a proposed tenth of a cent sales tax increase to pay for security needs at the Yakima County jail. Commissioner Mike Leita says if approved the 2.8 million dollars a year would not only pay for security upgrades but would also pay expenses and 515 thousand dollars in annual bond payments over the next 10 years. Today the commissioners are expected to approve the measure for the August ballot.

Leita says the commissioners have pledged a commitment to keeping the community safe so the money will be spent on the jail, regardless of where it comes from.  Leita says after all the needs are met the tax will be retired. The county is proposing a 1 tenth of one percent sales tax increase that will appear on the primary ballot on August 7th.