County voters OK higher sales tax; Miller gets nod as property assessor
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The Democratic primary for assessor of property didn’t prove to be close. Neither did the county local option sales tax referendum as voters nominated Carolyn Miller back to her post and agreed to raise the local option sales tax in the county from 2.0 to 2.75 percent.
In the race for assessor of property, Miller won decisively, garnering 2,973 votes (68 percent), opposed to challengers Tom Winfree with 723 (17 percent) and Emily Panter with 678 (16 percent). The win means Miller will be the Democratic nominee during the general election for the property assessor’s office in August when she will face two fresh opponents – Republican nominee Gerald Riley and Independent Michael Martin.
Miller, who is seeking her fourth term in the office, had never faced opposition since first winning the office by beating the former incumbent over a decade ago. However, Miller said she was ready for the challenge.
“I don’t take anything for granted because I know I work for the people,” an excited Miller said as the results became apparent at the election office Tuesday evening. “I think the margin is a good sign going into the election in August.”
Miller, who slightly outspent Winfree in the Democratic race, said she used door-to-door visits, phone calls and the help of friends to bring her message to voters.
“I want to thank the people who worked to make this possible and I’m very proud of the people of Warren County who went to the polls to vote for me,” Miller said.
While Miller still faces opposition in returning to her longtime office, there is no question over the county sales tax as county voters approved the local sales tax increase by a margin of 2,014 (60 percent) for and 1,333 (40 percent) against.
With the vote, the county joins McMinnville city residents in a share of the sales tax revenues. City voters overwhelmingly approved a similar measure last year by a larger vote than the county did Tuesday.
The city’s action last year prompted most county officials to strongly urge county voters (those living outside the city of McMinnville) to pass the measure so the county could join in the benefits. Supporters of the increase pointed out about 90 percent of the revenues from sales tax were being generated within McMinnville city limits so failure to pass the measure would mean the city would be the sole beneficiary of the sales tax income. Only people living outside the city limits were able to vote in the sales tax referendum.
“This will mean $1 million a year, probably more, in extra revenue,” said County Executive Kenneth Rogers, noting the money will be earmarked for education.
While the city reduced property taxes immediately after passing the measure, Rogers said there is no immediate plan to reduce county property taxes. Instead, Rogers said the extra revenue will likely help keep the property tax rate stable.
In other local election notes, Republicans Gerald Riley and 5th District County Commission candidate Jack M. Holland won nominations of their party without opposition. The importance of the uncontested races was the fact it marked the first time a Republican primary has been held for local offices. And, according to local Republican Chairman Charlie Moss, the local party will seek to have Republican candidates run in each of the future local elections, continuing next with the three school board spots up for election this August.