Marion defeats wheel tax
Voters in Marion County overwhelmingly declined to tax themselves by the wheel in exchange for some relief on property taxes, according to election results Tuesday.
Returns show 3,353 voted against the wheel tax while 1,152 voted for it.
Officials had estimated the tax would generate $1.6 million a year and could reduce county property taxes by up to 26 cents.
The vote means Marion County residents will avoid the proposed yearly tax of $50 for each motor-driven vehicle and $25 for each motorcycle or motor-driven bicycle.
The County Commission debated for months over whether to place the referendum on the ballot.
OTHER RACESMARION COUNTYDemocratic primaryConstable, District 1Harvey W. Allison 338Tim Reynolds 176Constable, District 2Jeff Stephens 291Travis Hickman 198POLK COUNTYDemocratic primaryRoad superintendentHarold Hood NARoy Thomason NASEQUATCHIE COUNTYSales tax referendumShould the local sales tax rate be increased from 9.25 percent to 9.75 percent?No 936Yes 655
ASSESSORS OF PROPERTY
BLEDSOE COUNTY
Republican primary
Allen Nail 568
Ronnie Sapp 543
Jerry Hankins 316
Democratic primary
Stacey DeBord 336
Derek Forgey 250
MARION COUNTY
Democratic primary
Judy A. Brewer 1,999
Rick Carter 751
McMINN COUNTY
Republican primary
Jerry Anderson 2,122
Matt Goodin 1,276
Keith Price 1,079
Margaret Stone Cheek 450
Stephanie
Womac Ring 345
Jack Crittenden 144
MEIGS COUNTY
Republican primary
William C. "Billy"
Breeden 720
Ronnie Jenkins 389
RHEA COUNTY
Republic primary
Debbie Byrd 1,973
Andy Kelly 1,097
All vote totals, which include federally mandated provisional ballots, are unofficial until certified by the Tennessee Division of Elections.