Cape fire tax: For your safety

We, the citizens of Cape Girardeau, will be making a decision at the polls on Nov. 4 on the issue of continuing a 1/8-cent sales tax for public safety. I would prefer to say that the continuation of this 1/8-cent would be used for your safety and my safety.

The original 1/4-cent Fire Tax for Public Safety was passed in 2004 by our citizens with an overwhelming 80.65 percent of the vote. The 1/8 cent is permanent and is being used for operating costs and salaries. The other 1/8 cent, which expires Dec. 31, has been used for one-time capital projects as specified in the original proposal.

These projects included the relocation and building of new Fire Station 3 on North Sprigg, the purchase of rescue and safety equipment, some upgrades to the current police facility and upgrading the replacement years for fire/police vehicles to maintain a reasonable length of life aligned with industry standards.

I would like to clarify that the proposed renewal is required by statute to be called a Fire Tax and that all proceeds go toward fire. Those funds then partially free up general revenue funds originally designated for the fire department. Those funds can then be re-allocated to police so as to benefit all of public safety in our city.

The renewal will generate approximately $1.2 million per year for 21 years. The plan is to use $600,000 for facilities and $600,000 for vehicles. This will enable our city to renovate both Fire Stations 1 and 2, replace and relocate Fire Station 4 from its present location on Kurre Lane, and provide partial funding for the replacement of our outdated police station. It will also keep our public safety vehicle replacement timing aligned with industry standards. (Police seven to 10 years, Fire 10 to 13 years).

Fire Station 1 at 1 South Sprigg was built in 1980. It is in need of approximately $500,000 in upgrades of living quarters and new storage facilities for equipment.

Fire Station 2 at Mount Auburn and Bloomfield was built in 1990. It is in need of approximately $1.5 million, which would include a new apparatus bay and upgrades to both the maintenance bay and living quarters.

Fire Station 4 at 1459 Kurre Lane was built in 1974 and needs to be replaced and relocated. This station no longer meets the needs of our city's growing northwest area, which includes many homes and businesses.

This 1/8 cent will also give the department the ability to maintain an orderly replacement of fire apparatus, which is needed every 10 to 15 years by industry standards. A new ladder truck today costs around $1 million, while a pumper truck today has a $500,000 price tag.

We have reached, via the 2004 tax, our goal of replacing police vehicles on a consistent basis as needed within a seven- to 10-year period per industry standards. We will be able to maintain that standard upon the approval of the continuation of the 1/8-cent sales tax.

There is also a great need to replace our existing police station. Built in 1975, the current facility does not meet the needs of our modern-day police department. Modern technology, increased evidence storage, and department specialization have resulted in inadequate space even though we have added mobile units adjacent to the station.

The fire sales tax does not generate enough revenue to cover all the needs of the fire and police departments. The current budget estimate of $11 million to replace the police station would require $4 million from the Fire Tax, $2.8 million from casino revenue and $4.2 million from the existing restaurant tax.

I will close by asking you, our citizens of Cape Girardeau, to vote on Nov. 4 and to vote "yes" for your safety and the safety for your family, neighbors, friends, business acquaintances and visitors who frequent our great city of Cape Girardeau. Thank you for your consideration.

Harry E. Rediger is the mayor of Cape Girardeau.