Politics & Government
Results Are in for $16.85 Million Dallas County Bond Vote
Dallas County voters who went to the polls Tuesday defeated by a more than two to one margin a measure to spend $16.85 million to build a county administration and law enforcement facility.
According to the county’s website, the measure received 1,858 yes votes to 3,940 no votes. The project needed 60 percent voter approval to win.
County leaders estimated the project would cost $22 million for an administration and jail facility. And pay for work to re-purpose current county offices at 902 Court, 907 Court, 810 Court and 201 Nile Kinnick.
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An opposition group called Dallas County Taxpayers for Responsible Spending created a website suggesting costs will be higher than county leaders have outlined. But, the group agreed on its website that the county needs a larger jail.
The group's figures were disputed by elected officials for Dallas County and Waukee leaders.
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County Recorder Chad Airhart, of Waukee, said Tuesday night that residents didn't want a tax increase to pay for needed services in the booming county.
"So how do we pay for the necessary increases to provide services to our population that has doubled in 15 years? I know from studying this for the last 2+ years that this was the least expensive route. Our county government must grow with our population. I hope those that claimed to have a cheaper better option step forward and put their money where their mouth is; yet I promise whatever plan our Supervisors pursue next will not be less expensive than what was voted down today."
Turnout was sparse at some Waukee voting precincts by late Tuesday afternoon.
At the Waukee Community School District Administration building, 70 people had voted on the measure that would build a new jail and administration building in Dallas County by late afternoon.
"It's not nearly enough," said a poll precinct official, who wanted to be unnamed. "It's a shame that that's all that voted."
On the flip side, at Westview Church 175 people had voted on the measure by late afternoon.
"I've been pleased with the turnout," said Marsha Schmidt, a poll worker. "The volume in this precinct is 2,000 voters and we are getting up to 10 percent of voters, which is good."
Several area politicians and others have weighed in on the issue.
Waukee Councilman: Group Opposing County Bond Vote Using Misleading Figures
Taylor: Supports Dallas County Jail, Administration Building
Airhart: Dallas County Needs New Jail, Administration Building to Keep Up with Growth
Radio Host Van Harden: Moving County Offices from Adel Square 'Unthinkable'
Waukee Mayor, Others Voice Support of Multi-Million Dollar Project Through Letter to the Editor
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