SIKESTON COUNCIL WEIGHS BENEFITS OF SALES TAX

SIKESTON -- A sales tax that voters approved nearly four years ago is nearing its expiration and Sikeston City Council members are considering an extension.

A quarter-cent sales tax for capital improvements was approved by voters in 1995. Council members learned Monday how the tax money collected has been spent.

Since the tax passed, Sikeston has collected $1,977,972. Of that money, $1,452,832 has already been spent by city departments.

The Department of Public Safety has spent about 61 percent of the money while Public Works has spent about 20 percent. Linda Lowes told the council how the city administration has spent the tax revenue. Administration received $122,000 and 44 percent of those funds were used for building renovation. Another 35 percent of the money went to purchase computer network equipment.

Other programs were indirectly funded by the tax, said City Clerk Carroll Couch.

DARE, COPS and Weed and Seed programs were supported by the city with some of the tax revenue.