Chamber expresses support for fire tax

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsement of continuing the city's fire sales tax.

The board of directors voted unanimously in recent days to support the measure and encourage voter approval in the Nov. 4 election.

The quarter-cent tax initially was approved by voters in 2004. In the coming election, they will be asked to renew a 1/8-cent portion. The remaining half of the tax is ongoing.

John Mehner, president and CEO of the chamber, pointed toward the importance of maintaining adequate revenue to provide public safety officials with the necessary tools, equipment and facilities. The city could suffer if "many citizens, visitors, even prospective businesses and developers do not feel safe," he said.

The ballot question asks voters to renew the fire sales tax for 21 years.

The 1/8-cent sales tax renewal is expected to generate revenue of $1.2 million per year. Plans outlined by the city say half of the funding will go toward facilities and the other half will fund replacement of existing fire apparatus, such as the trucks and SUVs, and police vehicles as necessary.

The biggest project proposed to be funded by the renewed tax is the replacement of Station 4 on Kurre Lane, which city and fire officials say is too small to adequately serve the needs of its growing district. City officials also have explained the tax helps free up general funds to go toward police department needs.

Not all groups have embraced the renewal of the measure. No MO Tax, a local group that favors fiscal responsibility and opposes tax increases, is urging voters to allow the renewable portion of the tax to sunset.

Members have expressed unhappiness with the length of the 21-year extension -- the first fire tax question set a 10-year lifespan for the renewable portion -- and point to flat wages and a still unrecovered economy as reasons voters should reconsider supporting the tax.

More information about No MO Tax is available at nomotax.org. Information about the fire sales tax and the city's plan for its revenue is available at cityofcapegirardeau.org/firesalestax.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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Cape Girardeau, Mo.