Voters in Roberts County have decided not to opt out of the state property tax freeze.

About 78 percent of the voters opposed an opt out Tuesday which would have allowed the county to collect up to $500,000 more in taxes a year for five years. About 21 percent supported it.

Commissioners unanimously decided to opt out in July. At the time, commission chair Glen Hull said finances were stretched so thin the county was having a hard time paying its bills. But a petition put it to a public vote.

Commissioners will meet in a special session Wednesday to finalize a county budget without the additional $500,000. They expect to cut about ten percent from most departments.

Twenty-four percent of Roberts County voters turned out.