Countywide
San Diego County supervisors took the first step Tuesday to place on the November ballot a measure that would increase the sales tax half a cent on the dollar to pay for a $400-million courthouse and jail construction program.
The measure, approved in concept by the board a week ago, would increase the sales tax to 6.5 cents on the dollar for five years.
Tuesday’s action was the introduction of the proposal. Final action is scheduled for July 15.
About 80% of the money raised by the tax increase would go for new courthouse buildings, and the remainder would be spent to relieve overcrowding in the county’s jails.
The plan will need to capture two-thirds of the votes cast in November for passage.
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