Reno County voters are ready to pay higher taxes for a new jail and improvements for other county offices.

Voters on Tuesday approved a half-cent increase in the Reno county sales tax to pay for a new 250-bed jail. Unofficial results showed the issued passed by a margin of 77.4 percent to 22.6 percent.   Will Ellis County voters make a similar choice next month?

Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin told Hays Post, “I am glad Reno County passed their jail expansion. I hope we have the same conclusion with our Public Safety issues here in Ellis County.”

Voters here decide May 14 whether to approve a half-percent sales tax to repair and expand the Ellis County jail, courthouse and law enforcement building.

Revenue from the tax would also fund a new EMS-rural firefighting building.
    
The tax would not be new. A half-percent sales tax for construction of the sports complex expired at the end of March.
      
Current estimates show the projects funded by the tax would cost between $12 million and $13 million.  You can watch Sheriff Harbin discuss the needs of his department on the Eagle Community Television Forum on Saturday and Sunday. The program is broadcast at 6 and 10 p.m. following the Local News on Channel 14 and 614.