Washington County voters will see a proposal for a .25% sales tax increase to pay for an emergency communications system on March 3 primary ballots.
Washington County Quorum Court voted to place the question on the ballot at its Dec. 19, 2019, meeting. Police and fire officials in Farmington, Prairie Grove and Lincoln have all come out in support of the tax and are asking voters to approve the tax as a temporary way to pay for a new system.
The question on the ballot asks voters to cast a ballot either for or against a .25% tax that would be in effect for only 12 months. County officials estimate the tax would raise more than $10 million to pay for a new system that is estimated to cost around $8.5 million.
John Luther, emergency management director, said he wants voters to understand the need to upgrade the emergency communications system used throughout the county.