Jefferson County voters reject half-cent sales tax

With all precincts reporting final but unofficial tallies, results showed 4,325 votes, or 56 percent, cast against the proposal, 3,348 votes, or 44 percent, in favor.

Still uncounted late Tuesday were 20 ballots bearing questionable signatures, voting officials said.

The proposed tax would have been levied for 10 years, with officals estimating revenue of about $60 million over that period, or about $6 million a year. One-half of the money would have been spent on economic development efforts, while the other half would have been used for workforce training.