Cass County commissioners approve putting 0.25¢ sales tax measure on August ballot

The Cass County Commission voted 3-0 to approve Resolution 26 50, which directs election officials to place a proposed 0.25¢ county sales tax measure before voters in the August election. The chair closed the public comment period, called for a motion and announced the outcome: "Resolution 26 50 passes."

Supporters at the meeting argued the sales tax would broaden the funding base for road and bridge needs and help the county retain road crews. Herschel Young, a resident, said, "I'm 100% for the 0.25¢ sales tax to replace the Bridal Bridge," and urged the commission to use the revenue for wages, gravel and maintenance. Opponents and some residents asked for more detail about how the new revenue would affect special road districts and whether property-tax allocations to those districts would change. Scott Howe, who identified himself as a Mount Pleasant Township special road district commissioner, asked whether the county would return revenue to the district and said, "The sales tax will go 100% to the county."

The commission took the vote after the public-comment period ended. The recorded outcome was three votes in favor, none against. The chair announced the tally and the passage of the resolution. The commission also moved promptly to adjourn after the vote.

The measure will now appear on the August ballot if county election staff meet the administrative deadlines required for ballot placement. The commission did not specify an implementation plan or a timeline for how revenues would be allocated among county programs and any special road districts during the meeting.