On April 7, Clinton County voters will vote YES or NO on a 1/4% sales tax (1/4-cent or $0.0025 per dollar) to fund the project, which would bring in $560,000 annually to go towards the project’s bond payment. This sales tax would be in effect for a maximum of 30 years and have a mandatory sunset after the project is paid off completely.

Construction is very expensive. In 2026, jails cost upwards of $1,000/square foot to build because they are dense, secure buildings that are very complex.

Construction will continue to escalate at 4-5% this year.*

Clinton County chose a project design that was very efficient to limit construction costs as much as possible.

Yes, Clinton County can pay bonds off early (after the first seven years). As soon as the bonds are paid off, the proposed sales tax would go away.

Through a countywide quarter-of-a-cent sales tax (1/4% or $0.0025 per dollar spent).

Exempt items include equipment purchases (such as agricultural equipment), prescription medicine and assistive devices, and hygiene products (such as diapers and menstrual products).

This project would not affect your property taxes.

The ballot language will look like this:

Shall the County of Clinton, Missouri impose a countywide sales tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent (1/4% or $0.0025 per one dollar) for a period of 30 years from the date on which such tax is first imposed for the purpose of adding a 56-bed detention center to the county courthouse and remodeling the courtrooms and judicial offices, together with related furnishings and equipment, provided that such tax shall terminate at such time as all obligations issued to finance or refinance such improvements have been paid in full if prior to the end of such 30 year period?

Yes, the ballot language specifically includes a clause stating that the tax will go away as soon as the building is paid off.

Sunset clause:

“…provided that such tax shall terminate at such time as all obligations issued to finance or refinance such improvements have been paid in full if prior to the end of such 30 year period…”

The Clinton County Commission will reevaluate the proposed solution but the issues facing the current Courthouse & Jail are significant and must be addressed.

Additionally, waiting to do this project will result in a higher construction cost due to inflation. Construction costs are expected to increase 4-5% in the next year.*

*https://edzarenski.com/2025/11/13/construction-inflation-2025-update-nov/