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A United Front for Knox County Referendum

TJ Carson

Supporters of a proposed public safety tax in Knox County are using a “team approach” this time around.

Sheriff David Clague said various representatives of the county will spread around the word in hopes of winning approval.

“It’s county board members, it’s Galesburg police members, the 911 coordinator Vicky Miller. Everybody now is kind of united to go out and communicate,” Clague said.

In March, voters rejected a ¼ of 1% sales tax to pay for improvements to the 911 system.

The same proposal will be on the ballot this fall.  The sheriff said the tax would generate as much as $50,000 per month.

Clague said there have not been any changes to the system since 1994. He said the proposed upgrades will cost around $750,000.

“Just the computer program alone is right at a half-million dollars.  It does not count the installation, does not count the upkeep or changing the computers to mandate that computer work.”