TUPELO ⢠The Lee County Board of Supervisors wants to increase the local sales tax to build a new jail, but needs legislative approval before taking the proposal to a voter referendum. In a recent letter to state Sen. Chad McMahan, R-Guntown, and state Rep. Jerry Turner, R-Baldwyn, all five members of the board requested legislation that would allow supervisors to hold a referendum on a sales tax increase during a regular general election. The increase could not exceed three-fourths of a percent under the proposal. âWe have an immediate need for construction of a new jail and possible road repair in the near future,â the letter reads.