Jackson fire tax gets strong support from voters

Voters in Jackson soundly passed a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to fund operations at a proposed second fire station, as well as the city's current one.

The tax, which will take effect in April, passed 3,073 votes to 1,788 votes. Jackson's new tax rate will be 6.750 percent, which is lower than the rate of nearby cities.

Fire chief Jason Mouser said he thought going into Tuesday the vote could go either way.

"I thank the community for their overwhelming support," Mouser said. "From the safety standpoint, it is comforting to me, as it should be to the community, having that second crew available 24 hours a day. It's a huge benefit to the community and to all those who travel through here.

Mayor Barbara Lohr said she is pleased the city supported the efforts of the fire station planning committee she appointed three years ago.

"I am ecstatic. I'm doing cartwheels," she said. "We got the facts out and presented them and the citizens had the final call. They've said, 'Get going on this,' and now we will."

Lohr said the city will begin the design phase in early 2011. It is expected to take a few months to complete, and construction will begin soon after that.

Voter turnout was steady at the Jackson precincts. Voters said the fire tax was an issue of interest.

"We're for it. We probably need it," Bessie Tucker said after casting her vote at the New McKendree Methodist Church polling location. Her husband, Norman, also said he supported the tax, especially considering the couple's daughter lives near the proposed east side location.

Some supporters said they were not pleased with the station's location.

"I voted for it. I don't like the location, though. It seems like a mighty poor place to put a fire station," voter James Ross said.

The new fire station will be located on the east side of town near the east water tower. The city owns the land, and it is in a tax increment funding (TIF) district. TIF funds will pay for the construction of the building, while the money generated from the tax will pay for personnel and equipment expenses at both stations.

In addition to a full-time second fire crew, the station is also a response to concerns that the city may lose its current fire insurance rating if an additional station is not built to accommodate the increase in residents, particularly on the east side of town.

The city's eight-member Board of Aldermen was split 5-3 on placing the tax on the ballot, citing concerns with the proposed location.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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