Eddy County petitioners force tax increase special election

ARTESIA, N.M. (AP) — Eddy County voters have gathered enough petition signatures to force a special election to decide if tax increases approved by county commissioners should stand. The Roswell Daily Record reports (http://bit.ly/2vqkmup ) the Eddy County Commission in May approved a one-eighth of 1 percent gross receipts tax increase to build a new county detention center and another one-eighth of 1 percent increase to general purpose gross receipts. Collectively, the gross receipt tax increases would add an extra 33 cents of sales taxes for every $100 spent on goods and services. Artesia leaders, including Mayor Phillip Burch, spearheaded petition efforts. Eddy County Clerk Robin Van Natta says the special election could cost about $52,000. She says it must take place within 60 days of the petitions being deemed qualified.