Leaders sound off on sales-tax increase to fund new jail
If a draft bill is passed, it would let the county commission increase the total sales tax rate to 10.75% for the specific purpose of funding a new jail. (The Daily Memphian file)
Some local leaders, including Shelby County Commissioner Amber Mills and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, approve of funding the project through a sales-tax increase. But others say it would disproportionately impact impoverished citizens.
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Shelby County Jail Shelby County Commission Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Julia Baker
Julia Baker covers Memphis and Shelby County’s law enforcement agencies and is a member of The Daily Memphian’s public safety reporting team. A lifelong Memphian, Julia graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
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