Area voters will have more to weigh in on than just political candidates Tuesday, as Howard County looks for approval of a new district sales tax and Glasscock County voters cast their ballots to fill several seats on their school board.

The county assistance sales tax would effect businesses and vendors in the Howard County area outside of the city of Big Spring, according to officials.

According to Commissioner Gary Simer, who brought the measure to the court several months ago, the tax is not a cure-all for county coffer woes, but it could have a positive impact in the long run.

“It's not a whole lot. It's probably about $250,000, and that will help our property tax down the line,” said Simer. “It'll be catching some of the oilfield, some of the convenience stores and the people traveling through. It's just like when we go somewhere else, we pay their sales tax. Now they will pay ours. It'll be a good deal and won't cost us anything.

“This will help fund the volunteer fire department, the sheriff's department, and could possibly help put a deputy in Forsan or Coahoma,” he added. “Eventually, it should help tax rates by spreading the cost out across the county. That could really help lower property taxes in the long run.”

Simer said all county residents not living within the Big Spring city limits will be able to weigh in on the matter during the election.

“Everyone outside of the city limits of Big Spring will have the chance to vote on the sales tax. No one in Big Spring will be able to vote on it because they are maxed-out on their sales tax,” said Simer. “People in Coahoma and Forsan will also be effected by this, and they will have the chance to vote on it. Both city councils from Forsan and Coahoma have signed off on this and are behind it 100 percent. So there's no trouble there at all.”

According to information on Window on State Government — a Web site provided by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs — the district must use the sales tax revenues to perform the following functions of the district:

— the construction, maintenance, or improvement of roads or highways;

— the provision of law enforcement and detention services;

— the maintenance or improvement of libraries, museums, parks, or other recreational facilities;

— the provision of services that benefit the public welfare; or

— the promotion of economic development and tourism.

The tax could range from 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 of 1 percent. According to County Judge Mark Barr, commissioners plan to collect the maximum amount allowed by law, or 1/2 of 1 percent.

To the south, Glasscock County ISD will have six candidates vying for four seats on its school board, Superintendent Steve Long said.

Incumbents Kevin Hirt, Diane Havlak and Tibby Niehues are seeking new terms, while Nathan Halfmann, Doug Jost and Cody Hare are the newcomers to the race.

The four seats up for election are at-large positions and are for three-year terms, Long said.

Other elections on Howard County ballots include:

• Howard County Sheriff — (R) Stan Parker, (D) Pat Carter

• Howard County Commissioner Precinct 1 — (R) Edwin Ware, (D-incumbent) Emma Brown

• Howard County Commissioner Precinct 3 — (R) Jimmie Long, (D) Dick Dubose

• Howard County Attorney — (R) Joshua Hamby, (D-incumbent) Mike Thomas

• County Constable — (R) Kneel Stallings, (D-incumbent) Bill Holden

• U.S. Senator — (R-incumbent) John Cornyn, (D) Rick Noriega, (L) Yvonne Adams Schick

• U.S. Representative District 19 — (R-incumbent) Randy Neugebauer, (D) Dwight Fullingim, (L) Richard "Chip"  Peterson

• State Senator District 31 — (R-incumbent) Kel Seliger, (L) Lauren Poindexter

• State Representative District 85 — (D-incumbent) Joe Heflin, (R) Isaac M. Castro

Elections on the Martin County ballot include:

• Martin County Sheriff — (R) John Woodward III, (D) Jerry Heflin

• Martin County Commissioner Precinct 3 — (R) Bobby Holland, (D) Morgan Cox

• State Representative District 82 — (R-incumbent) Tom Craddick, (D) Bill Dingus, (L) Sherry Phillips

• U.S. Representative District 11 — (R-incumbent) Mike Conaway, (L) John R. Strohm

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it