Politics & Government

125 Prisoners Possibly Released from Jail Pending Millage Tax Increase

The commissioners could vote tonight on a tax increase in Cherokee County. If not, they have to find a way to make up for a $5 million deficit.

The Cherokee County commissioners work session got heated this afternoon as commissioners weigh the options between raising the millage rate tax in Cherokee and the potential ramifications of the $5 million debt the county faces.

The  living in an average-sized home in Cherokee County. There was little opposition in the previous public hearings, but the Cherokee GOP has called for members to speak against the rate increase at tonight’s meeting.

The potential ramifications for not passing the millage rate increase could be the release of 125 prisoners from the county jail, a senior program being cut, two fire stations being closed, one police precinct being closed and one library being closed.

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During the work session, two commissioners who are both up for re-election in 2012, were adamantly against the increase—but their reasons for not backing the hike varied.

Jim Hubbard said he was not comfortable with the rate increase because of the outpouring of emails from the citizens.

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“What I’m hearing from the people is ‘No, no, no',” Hubbard said. “But what Im hearing from Jerry [Cooper], and the department is ‘We have to’.”

Karen Bosch is also up for re-election in 2012 and said she would be voting against the increase if pushed. She said she had fought for public safety in the past, but would not be put in a position where she would have to face voters and tell them she was responsible for raising their taxes.

“If I have to be the third vote, I’ll be voting no,” Bosch said. “I have done nothing but fight for public safety…but to have this dumped on my back is not right.”

The commissioners also said that the voters who are calling in are not educated on the budget process.

“The people who are emailing us don’t know,” Bosch said.


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