A western Kansas county has plans to sue the State of Kansas over mishandled sales tax revenue.

 

Morton County, located in the extreme southwest corner of the state, approved a county-wide sales tax in 2015 in order to support the county hospital in Elkhart. However, because of a clerical error on the ballot, voters actually approved a general sales tax instead of one specifically designated for health care services. As a result, the Kansas Department of Revenue directed to funds to Morton County municipalities. The cities then spent the money.

 

Over the past nine years, Morton County took on debt in an attempt to cover the $1.8 million shortfall at the hospital. The state legislature fixed the problem earlier this year in order to give the facility its intended funding, but Morton County wants to be reimbursed for the money its missed during the past decade.

 

Morton County has not yet officially filed the suit.