Jackson County Commission seeks special levy in November
By DAVE PAYNE Sr. , dpayne@newsandsentinel.comRIPLEY - Jackson County commissioners are asking residents to approve a special levy in November to improve recreation facilities in the county and help the county's fire departments deal with rising costs.
Commissioners voted Thursday to place a special levy on the ballot for the general election in November.
The levy would provide $50,000 for the city of Ripley and another $50,000 for Ravenswood to make improvements to recreation facilities, said commission President Don Stephens.
It would also provide $50,000 to replace or repair aging facilities at the Jackson County Junior Fairgrounds and another $50,000 to supplement the county's fire departments deal with rising fuel costs, he said.
The funds would be used for pool repairs in Ripley as well as upgrades and repairs for ball fields and courts in both Ripley and Ravenswood. The fairgrounds portion of the of levy funds would be used to upgrade facilities in need of repair, Stephens said.
"It needs done, in order to have a quality community, you need fire and ambulance service and recreation facilities maintained and in good condition. This is part of keeping Jackson County a quality community," he said.
He said that by placing it on the general election ballot, the county is spared the cost of special election.
