COMBAT Commission
Purpose
The COMBAT acronym stands for the COMmunity Backed Anti-Crime Tax.
Voters first approved the quarter-cent sales tax in 1989, making Jackson County the first jurisdiction in the country to approve a tax dedicated to “combating” substance abuse and drug-related crime. COMBAT’s mission expanded in 2009 to also include reducing violence in the community, whether it is drug-related or not.
Each year the tax generates approximately $25 million to $30 million. More than half the funding is allocated to support the Courts, Prosecutor’s Office, Jackson County Corrections Department and other local law enforcement agencies, including the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
The COMBAT administration accepts grant applications from non-profit agencies based in and providing services in Jackson County. These agencies implement and operate a variety of vital prevention and treatment programs that COMBAT funds, upon approval of the COMBAT Anti-Crime Commission and the County Legislature.
The County Executive appoints the members of the Jackson County COMBAT Commission.
Mission
Chapter 93 of the Jackson County Code states the "powers and duties" of the Commission:
The COMBAT Commission shall establish goals for COMBAT funding and make recommendations on all funding requests for COMBAT initiatives.
Commissioners
| Member |
District |
Term Expires |
| Theresa Grado |
1 |
Dec. 31, 2028 |
| Arimeta DuPree |
2 |
Dec. 31, 2023 |
| Vacant |
3 |
|
| John Sharp |
4 |
Dec. 31, 2028 |
| Lanna Ultican |
5 |
Dec. 31, 2025 |
| Larry Beaty |
6 |
Dec. 31, 2025 |
|
Dr. Kelvin L. Walls
-Public Health Care Professional Member
|
At-Large |
Dec. 31, 2025 |
|
Katherine Baker
-Legal Professional Member
|
At-Large |
Dec. 31, 2028 |
| Dr. Susan M. Wilson |
At-Large |
Dec. 31, 2028 |
For more information on COMBAT