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Pueblo Sheriff seeks tax increase to pay for new jail

Pueblo County Detention Center Flooding
Posted at 6:39 PM, Jul 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-16 20:39:23-04

PUEBLO COUNTY — Video released by the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Tuesday show serious flooding at the county jail.

There is damage to floors and no word on how much it will cost to fix.

Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor told County Commissioners Tuesday that the flooding is a prime example of the deteriorating conditions at the jail and why he is asking them once again to go back to voters and ask for a tax increase to pay for a new jail and upgrades.

The Sheriff has made such a request twice in the last five years.

This time around, the Sheriff said if the jail tax is approved, it would be less than half a cent.

"Come and visit the jail, come take a tour of the jail. If you are on the fence and you don't think we need a new jail please come visit me. Call my office, make an appointment. We'll take you through and give you a tour," said Sheriff Taylor.

The county does have a back up plan if the measure fails. That is a second ballot measure that would change the marijuana tax structure to have a piece of the pot tax go to paying for the new jail.