Voting results were finalized just after 10 p.m. Tuesday night for many ballot items in the Nov. 4 election. On the ballot this year were many Texas state and local races, as well as several propositions affecting the Grayson County area.
One such item was Proposition A - Grayson County Assistance District No.1 to authorize creation of the Grayson County Assistance District No. 1 and the imposition of a sales and use tax at the rate of 1.5% for purpose of financing the operations of the district.
With a final vote of 61.7% against and 38.3% for, the proposition did not pass. Only those who live in unincorporated areas were allowed to vote on this item.
In August, the Grayson County Commissioners proposed a 1.5% increase in city sales and use tax to unincorporated areas of the county to help offset the cost of fire/EMS services to those areas.
With continued population growth, the demand for emergency services rises. Currently, citizens within city limits pay sales and use tax which the city collects and uses for things like emergency services. There is no sales and use tax in unincorporated areas of the county (areas typically outside the city limits that are governed by the county rather than the city), so the county provides a stipend to municipalities for those areas.
In looking for ways to continue to provide emergency services to all areas of the county without breaking the bank, the commissioners began brainstorming. However, despite holding several Town Hall meetings around the county to address concerns and answer questions, citizens let it be known they didn’t support the sales and use tax.
“I respect the voters’ decision, but of course I’m very disappointed,” Grayson County Commissioner, Precinct 3 Lindsay Wright said Tuesday night. “The need for fire/EMS services still exists, so we’ll have to cut some type of services somewhere. If the voters don’t support a sales tax, then there’s no way they’re going to support a property tax.”
Meanwhile, also on the ballot was the City of Sadler Local Liquor Option which would allow the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only. Voters approved the option with 76.3% for and 23.7% against. Only 38 people participated in this vote.
Other propositions included items like school district bonds, residence homestead exemptions and the requirement of proof of United States citizenship to vote.
As of press time, not all election results had been posted as there was some sort of delay. It was unknown whether the delay was at the state or county level.
To learn more about the ballot items and see results, visit www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/elec.home
Source: Freepik.com