Stage set for November

 There were several winners in Tuesday’s primary; however, the overwhelming victor was the quarter cent sales tax referendum which was favored by 69 percent of Clay County voters. 

Voters passed the referendum by a margin of 1,721 to 775. It is expected to bring in about $220,000 to the county’s general fund. Food and gas purchases are exempt from the tax. 

When asked why he thought it easily passed this year as opposed to failing by a large margin in 2016, County Manager Mark Pullium said, “Honestly I believe it was a matter of informing the public, giving them information to make an informed decision. I think that was the difference. I was pleasantly surprised.”