Sales tax hike 'yes' vote shrinks

RITZVILLE — As votes continue to be tallied in the recent general election, the “yes” vote for a proposed sales tax increase for Adams County is maintaining a small but shrinking lead.

Adams County Proposition 1, which would impose a three-tenths of a cent sales tax countywide to support law enforcement and the county courts, is currently passing with 51 percent approval.

As of the most recent count on Friday, Nov. 9, the measure was passing with 1,901 in favor and 1,823 votes against, shrinking the measure’s lead to 84 votes from 93 votes in the first tally on election night.

An additional 801 votes were tallied in the sales tax referendum on Friday, for a total of 3,724.

The Adams County Auditor’s office reports so far, 3,868 ballots have been counted from last week’s general election, and that Adams County has 6,767 registered voters.

The auditor’s office, however, will not say how many ballots remain to be counted.

The next ballot count will be reported on Thursday, Nov. 15, and the election is scheduled to be certified own Nov. 27.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at cfeatherstone@columbiabasinherald.com.