Dubuque County voters have approved a one-percent local option sales tax for school improvements. Some 17-thousand people voted, or about 32-percent of the county’s registered voters. It passed 52-48-percent. The tax will take effect July 1st of 2003 and will run ten years. It is expected to generate 100-million dollars, split 80-20 between Dubuque Community and the Western Dubuque school districts.