Voters will have the chance to decide if they wish to add a one-quarter percent (0.25 percent) county- wide retailers’ sales tax in Ellsworth County during the Nov. 5 general election.

Ellsworth County Commissioners approved the special question during Monday’s meeting.

Kevin Cowan, a bond attorney with Gilmore Bell, Wichita, discussed the resolution.

The purpose of the tax would be to finance the cost of constructing, furnishing and equipping law enforcement and courthouse improvements for the county, authorizing the issuance of sales tax general obligation bonds to finance such costs, and providing for the giving of notice of said election.

After the discussion, the commissioners approved Resolution 2025R08. It will be put before the voters of Ellsworth County to decide in the Nov. 5 general election.

In other business:

• Commissioners rejected a bid for the second half of a project to install new and additional signs in the county. The reason was that the bid came in $150,000 over what commissioners were expecting to pay. They also decided to open the bid process back up and wait to see how that works out.

• Commissioners will take a “wait and see” stance regarding a request by Wilson businessman David Criswell to bore underneath a portion of Old 40 Highway in order to access the Wilson city sewer line. Criswell is working on getting approval from the Union Pacific Railroad.

• County Appraiser Kristina Silva met with commissioners to discuss the final cost of a computer she purchased through LockIT Technologies for her office. Silva was previously approved for $1,600, but the final cost of the computer was $1,810.

Commissioners asked Silva to ask LockIT several questions about the billing and report back to them. They plan to amend their motion to cover the additional cost of the computer.

• Approval was given to a $750 bid from Toman Services to clean the flower beds and rock gardens associated with the county courthouse lawn.

• Resolution 2025R07 was approved, supporting the development of moderate income housing in Ellsworth County.

• After a 10-minute executive session to discuss nonelected personnel (potential hire) with County Road and Bridge Superintendent Bret Dulap, the county decided to make an offer to a potential employee.

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 2 at the county courthouse.