Half-cent law enforcement tax increase measure may be put on Nov. 8 ballot

Ozark County commissioners will be discussing an idea to put a half-cent sales tax increase measure on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot during their next regular weekly meeting at 9 a.m. on Aug. 22.

The commissioners meet every Monday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the Ozark County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.

The idea of the sales tax measure was first brought up during the Aug. 8 meeting when Prosecuting Attorney Matt Weatherman told Commissioners John Turner, Gary Collins and Layne Nance that it was time to place an initiative before voters due to the budget crisis within the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff Cass Martin has cut back patrols and laid off eight employees to help keep the department operating in the black.