Shoppers begin paying for new jail Thursday

Even though the location for the new county jail has not been determined, shoppers are already beginning to pay for the project.

Beginning Thursday, the sales tax rate increased in Bourbon County as part of the $6.8 million bond issue to fund a new county jail.

The sales tax rates for each city in Bourbon County is as follows:

* Bronson, 7.90 percent

* Fort Scott 9.4 percent.

* Fort Scott Community Improvement District, (strip mall on south U. S. Highway 69), 10.4 percent.

* Fulton, 7.9 percent

* Mapleton, 8.9 percent

* Redfield, 7.9 percent

* Uniontown, 8.9 percent

The jail bond issue, which passed by 16 votes in April, gave the county permission to increase the retail sales tax .4 percent to fund the project.

In February, it was projected the additional sales tax would generate $169,093,862 annually through 2019, and the debt service payment would be from $643,933 to $648,114 during that time period. The debt service is schedule to be paid off in 2035.

County officials have stated excess sales tax revenue could be used for to repay the bond or operational expenses.

The sales tax also will fund expenses incurred in repurposing the current Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center. Commissioners have not stated how that space will be utilized after the new jail is completed.

Commissioners are also searching for a site for the new jail. On Tuesday, they voted to back out of a deal to purchase 13.7 acres along Jayhawk and Liberty Bell Roads. Commissioners and the sheriff had received calls from citizens concerned the jail would be located too close to the Christian Learning Center.

The plan is for a 22,000 square-foot building 74-bed facility with space to expand to an additional 16 beds.

The county's sales tax increase comes on the heels of a statewide sales tax increase. On July 1, the state sales tax increased from 6.15 percent to 6.5 percent.