The Mecklenburg County Commissioners are considering asking Mecklenburg County voters to decide if they want to pay more taxes to fight crime. Several of the Commissioners want to add a referendum to November's ballot for a 1/4 cent sales tax increase.If passed, the tax would add an estimated $20 million in 2009 and the funds would go to the county's criminal justice system. If voters approve the increased sales tax, city officials say they will use the funds to pay for some much needed improvements to the county's justice system.
Commissioners said they would like to see a number of improvements with the added funds:
• Additional Assistant District Attorneys
• More courtroom personnel, including; Sheriff’s deputies, Clerks, Public Defenders and Judges
• Additional electronic monitoring equipment for repeat offenders
• A salary supplement for assistant district attorneys to decrease the turnover rate
• Process improvements in the existing intake center at Jail Central
• Constructing and operating a new jail, including land purchase, etc.