Tax passes in Murray, fails in unincorporated area

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Murray residents can expect to see a 1 percent local option sales tax starting July 1, 2010. The measure passed 144-48. The unincorporated areas of the county voted against the measure by 18 votes. The unofficial Nov. 3 election results show 195 rural residents voted against the tax.

The sales tax in Murray will fund the town’s portion of a proposed reservoir in Clarke County. The money can be used for land aquisition.

Murray councilman Scott Busick said the town is responsible for funding 4.2 percent of the reservoir.
Some rural residents thought voters were confused about the election.
“There was a tremendous amount of confusion over who can vote and who can’t,” Clarke County resident Kathy Kelly said.

Only Murray and rural residents were eligible to vote on the measure. Woodburn and Osceola passed the tax in 2007.

Officials from Clarke County Auditor’s office stated they did receive calls from confused citizens about if they were able to vote for the measure.

Officials could not say if another election for rural residents would be held in the future and if it can be held as soon as next year.

In other election results, Osceola Mayor Fred Diehl will keep his mayoral position. Diehl ran unopposed and received 148 votes. Incumbents Peggy Mateer and Glenn Schaff ran unopposed for Osceola City Council and will remain on the council.

In Murray, Mary Donner ran unopposed and received 109 votes. Incumbent Busick and Sheri Miller received the most votes for seats on the Murray council. Busick, with 157 votes, and Miller, with 98 votes, defeated Jodie Collins and Pat Collins.

Randy Wright will remain Woodburn’s mayor. Wright was unopposed. Vickie Brown (32 votes), Laura Chumbley (24 votes) and Charles Livesay (22 votes) won Woodburn City Council seats.