Marion County court votes 5-4 to put community center bond and two sales-tax questions on special election

Marion County’s quorum court voted to adopt an amended ordinance placing two sales-tax measures and a bond question on a special-election ballot, approving the action on a 5–4 roll-call vote. The ordinances together would ask voters whether to (1) levy a 0.5% sales-and-use tax pledged to repayment of bonds to finance a new community center and (2) levy a 0.25% sales-and-use tax for operation and maintenance of that facility.

Why it matters: The ballot language lists a "not to exceed" principal amount of $16,500,000 for bond financing; an underwriter’s example in the meeting estimated total repayment (principal plus interest) could approach $27.5 million under a conservative scenario. If approved, the half-cent tax would be dedicated to debt service; the quarter-cent would be available for operation and maintenance and could serve as secondary security for the bonds if needed. Court members and community presenters said the projects are intended to provide recreational and community services in a county that officials described as having an older population and limited local tax base.

Attorney Sarah Giamo, who advised the court on…