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County Council approves ballot question for 1% sales tax to fund $50 million detention center
Summary
On second reading the County Council approved a referendum question to impose a 1% capital sales and use tax for up to eight years to raise funds — estimated at $50,000,000 — to build a new Chesterfield County detention center; the measure now goes to the State Elections Commission for approval and the council plans public education.
The County Council of Chesterfield County on Wednesday approved on second reading a question that would ask voters to impose a 1% capital sales and use tax for no more than eight years to raise funds for a new county detention center estimated at $50,000,000. The chair read the ballot language aloud and the motion to place the question on the ballot was moved and seconded; council members approved the measure by voice vote with no opposed recorded.
The chair said the existing detention center is "structurally obsolete" and framed the proposal as necessary. The chair stated, "This is not a want," and described the plan as a way to share costs across sales-tax payers rather than increase property millage. The chair also explained the ballot mechanics for voters, saying, "If you're in favor of the question, touch the screen next to the word yes." The council noted that the ballot question and its exact wording must be approved by the State Elections Commission in Columbia before it may be used.
Council members and staff discussed funding mechanics and the project's scope during the meeting. County staff said debt service would be paid using a combination of the proposed sales-tax proceeds and existing debt mills; staff described the $50,000,000 figure as the project's rough estimate and said a bed study and design work are underway to refine needs and sizing. One council member summarized the financing math as roughly $5,500,000 per year over eight years for the principal portion discussed in the meeting, with remaining costs to be covered by other sources if necessary.
The council also signaled plans for voter education, including town halls and district-level outreach, and indicated bond counsel would bid issuance to secure the best interest rate if the county proceeds to sell bonds. The measure approved by the council is subject to final review and approval by the State Elections Commission before appearing on a ballot.
