Sheriff's office pitches temporary sales-tax increase to raise roughly $1.8B for new jail

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office outlined a legislative proposal to create an alternate funding stream for a new jail rather than relying on a property-tax increase. Lieutenant Joseph Fox, who presented on behalf of the sheriff, said the bill under consideration would temporarily raise sales taxes (city sales taxes up to the statutory maximum plus a county increase) with an eight-year sunset and return to prior rates once the debt is paid.

Fox cited a Department of Revenue calculation discussed at the meeting: the proposed tax would collect $230,633,500 per year and roughly $1.8 billion over eight years. He said prior county studies estimate a new jail would cost between $700 million and $1 billion. The proposal would require state statutory changes, county commission approval and a citizen referendum. Fox emphasized safeguards in the draft statute intended to prevent the tax from becoming permanent and described provisions to return rates after the debt is paid.

Commissioners asked for tours of the existing jail and additional study materials before recommending a funding path. The committee advanced continued work on the concept and requested updated cost estimates and community outreach materials so the commission could consider whether to place a referendum before voters.