To pay for upcoming building projects including a new rural fire/EMS station and jail expansion, Ellis County will pursue a dedicated sales tax of ½ percent. County Administrator Greg Sund says if the state legislature approved the county seeking a dedicated tax, it would allow the county to collect all of the funding rather than sharing with each of the incorporated communities.

The sales tax would be similar to the one approved for the sports complex, and would sunset when the buildings are paid off.

If approved by the legislature, a county-wide election would be held, likely in June, to allow the public to approve or deny the tax.

The next step is to contact area legislators about sponsoring the legislation.