Tyler

The proposal to build a downtown jail was being defeated by a large margin, in early vote tallies.

In early voting, 67 percent, 5,488 voted against it and 33 percent, 2,699 voted for it.

Election Day votes have not yet been counted.

Results will be posted as soon as they become available.

Election officials say it appears the voter turnout today was larger than many expected.

The bond proposal includes a 1,104-bed facility that would be “shelled out” with space for additional beds to be added in the future. In addition to a jail tower at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Elm Street, a low-risk wing would be constructed just behind the existing jail.

There’s $15 million in the package for newly built office space for departments displaced when the Carlton is demolished. The proposed building, to be placed next to the Smith County Courthouse Annex, would include space for future expansion of the courts system.

The $125 million bond package, financed for 25 years, would add about 6.6 cents to the county’s tax rate of 28.8940 cents per $100 in property valuation, according to the county’s financial adviser. That’s an increase of about 23 percent.

Voters hit the poles all over Smith County on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 to vote on the Jail Bond.
((Staff Photo By Tom Turner))