MCCLURE/E. CAPE TAX HIKE BID FAILS

McClure/East Cape Girardeau residents voted downed a proposed tax rate increase for the fire protection district Tuesday.

A total of 375 residents voted, with 225 saying no.

The vote was to permit a maximum allowable tax rate of 0.40 percent of all taxable property as assessed by the Department of Revenue. The present rate is 0.30 percent.

The issue was one of two on the Alexander County ballot this week. A county-wide plan for funding a 911 emergency telephone system passed by a close margin, 1,422 to 1,350. This issue called for adding a surcharge of $3 a month per network connection.