Gilchrist County passes ballot measure to fund emergency fire rescue services

Gilchrist County had its own charter amendment on the ballot this November — for emergency fire rescue services. It passed Tuesday, with 62.52% of the vote.

The amendment would add a one-cent sales tax to anything bought in Gilchrist County. The vice chair of the county commission tells WUFT this tax would affect all purchases made within the county. They are concerned about the controversial Amendment 3, which also passed Tuesday.

This is because property taxes are the main way the county gets its public funding. He said the small county of just over 20,000 would be greatly affected. Adding this one-cent sales tax would help shore up the county’s finances.