After learning the outcome of Tuesday’s special Ellis County sales tax election,  Sheriff Ed Harbin was appreciative. “Thank you to all the voters.”  he told Hays Post. “We are very glad the sales tax passed. Now we can get on with this project. We need it and we need to get it finished.”

The sales tax will fund two projects, a new combined Emergency Medical Services/Rural Fire building, and safety and security improvements to the Ellis County jail and courthouse.

It will  sunset in five years, or when the project is paid off, whichever comes first.  Total costs, with interest, are estimated at $14.3 million dollars. The tax will begin sometime after October 1.