West Plains, Mo. – Howell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for more funding from the community on April 5. In the upcoming municipal election, a sales tax increase of one fourth of one percent will be on the ballot to help fund the Sheriff’s Office.
The last increase of the Sheriff’s Office budget was a one-quarter of one-cent sales tax 22 years ago in 2000.
The current situation at the Sheriff’s office is tight, according to Sheriff Brent Campbell. Deputies must purchase equipment, firearms, and other gear from their salaries. Currently, there is one functional body camera for the entire office and the non-lethal takedown devices, Taser guns, are at the end of their lifecycle and need replacement. The office is currently understaffed by 26 individuals, leading to slows down response times and hinders investigations.
Howell County has outgrown the current Sheriff’s Office and Jail. The building was built in the early 1980s when the county had a population of 28,865. As of the most recent census in 2020, the current population of Howell County is 39,750. The jail is currently designed for 50 inmates and, to date, houses 72.
The quarter of one-cent sales tax will allow the Howell County Sheriff’s Office to purchase uniforms and gear for the deputies, replace outdated and worn-out equipment, purchase new vehicles. The tax will allow modernization of the jail.
