Audrain residents made it clear in the voting last night that a half-cent sales tax increase is not what they wanted.

The sales tax increase would have overlapped with a bridge tax already in place. The bridge tax and the proposed increase would have made the county sales tax 1.8 percent.

"Folds just told us fairly loudly and clearly that they didn't want that overlap for one year," Audrain County chairperson Bruce Oliver said.

Officials say the increase would have helped update county government. According to them, a half-cent sales tax raise would have brought in nearly $1.2 million dollars, which would have updated technology and computers here at the Audrain County courthouse.

The tax would also have allowed for more money for the county's public health and safety. However, Oliver thinks the sales tax will pass next year.

"I'm very optimistic for next year when the total sales tax does not increase, the general revenue tax will just replace the bridge tax," Oliver said.

Oliver says that if the increase doesn't pass next year, officials will have to make cuts within the city that residents won't want eliminated.