An extra half-cent sales tax approved by Yuma County voters in 2000 will end in January after it brought in money faster than expected.
The sale tax measure went into effect in January 2001 and was designed to pay for an estimated $58 million in new public facilities. The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 16 voted to terminate the tax two years early because the goal had been met.
“We attribute it to the fact that we have a healthy economy, especially in retail,” County Administrator David Garcia said. “The restaurants and retail stores have been doing well, and we’ve been the beneficiary of that.”
Money from the special tax paid for a new juvenile court facility and justice center, and paid the lease purchase debt on the new health department building. Some funds are also being used for the ongoing renovation of the old courthouse, Mr. Garcia said.
Information from: The Sun, http://www.yumasun.com
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