Petition to stop tax increase for new Madison Co. jail gets certified

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) — The petition to recall the proposed property tax increase has been certified, according to Madison County Clerk Kenny Barger

He says it got the necessary 3,782 signatures. It received 3,876.

Barger says he has notified both parties, the county fiscal court and the petition committee.

The fiscal court has 15 days to either amend the ordinance, or have it placed on the November 2020 election ballot for recall.

The county’s fiscal court approved a property tax increase in September to help pay for the $45-million jail. The property tax increase would add 11 cents for every $100 of property value.

After it was approved, people were not happy about it and filed a petition.

County officials say they are worried about the future of the old jail if there isn’t a tax increase.

The jail has 184 beds with an average of 400 inmates and the county pays to send some to detention centers in other counties.