Sheriff urges Cole County to seek half‑cent sales tax to fund jail expansion

Sheriff John Wheeler told the Cole County Commission on June 2 that growing inmate populations and mounting operational demands have created a need for a jail expansion and that the county should ask voters to approve an additional one-half cent sales tax to fund it.

Wheeler, speaking during the commission's general discussion of departmental funding, said the expansion would address capacity and operational pressures but did not present a formal financing schedule or specific construction timeline during the session. He recommended placing a ballot measure before Cole County voters seeking approval of the additional one-half cent sales tax to pay for the project.

The recommendation recorded in the minutes is a direction from the sheriff rather than a formal action by the commission: the transcript does not show a vote, motion, or a staff assignment to draft ballot language on the record. Commissioners listened as the sheriff outlined the funding need; the minutes do not record any vote or follow-up motion tied to the proposal.

If the commission chooses to pursue a ballot question, the matter would require formal steps not recorded at this meeting, including authorization to place the measure on a ballot, drafting of ballot language and timelines, and potential coordination with election officials. The minutes do not specify those next steps or any estimated revenue total from the proposed half‑cent tax.

The commission is next scheduled to meet June 9 at 9:00 a.m.