Vote to redirect sales tax in Marble Hill fails

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Turnout was low for the vote to redirect Marble Hill's half-cent sales tax toward the general fund instead of toward capital improvements, and the vote to defeat it was close: 40 no votes, 35 yes.

Mayor Michael Sowers said the issue will be brought to the board of aldermen at next week's meeting. He said he will recommend that the voters be asked to consider the issue again in August.

The city's fiscal year begins July 1, and the city's budget committee based its figures for the 2012-2013 budget on the tax passing and replacing the approximately $70,000 the city lost when it dropped the city property tax in exchange for the sales tax. Plenty of money is coming in through the sales tax, the mayor said, but it's going to an account that by law cannot be used for the city's daily operations.

The only alternative to voting on the redirection again, Sowers said, would be for the city to look at reinstating the property tax.

"We need to do a better job of educating the public," Sowers said.

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, Mo.