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The work really paid off.
Voters in Blue Springs passed the proposed half-cent public safety sales tax by a 20 percent margin. According to unofficial election results, 2,933 voters, or 59.96 percent, voted for the issue, while 1,959 voters, or 40.04 percent, voted against the issue.
Melodie Chrisman, a member of the group charged with promoting the issue throughout the city, said she was speechless.
“We worked so hard on this, so hard,” she said shortly after the final results came in.
What was the secret ingredient?
“Informing and educating the public,” she said. “And it’s really impressive because of the economic times we’re in.”
The half-cent sales tax, which will start to be collected in October, will generate $3 million annually and will help alleviate current and upcoming revenue issues in the Blue Springs Police Department.
Issues that will be addressed include personnel, facilities and equipment.
The sales tax will have no sunset, or expiration, due in part to the continuing improvements and additional salaries required throughout the years.
The half-cent sales tax will fund 10 new officers – seven in the patrol division, two in the street crimes unit and one assistant deputy chief. It also will fund four detention officers, one evidence and property custodian and one animal control officer.
The additional officers will allow for one more officer on each working shift, 24 hours per day, according to the city.
Proponents say residents have indicated they want more police visibility in retail and residential areas.
Facility needs include enlargement and renovation of police headquarters, specifically improvements to the detention area and evidence unit. About $8.2 million would be earmarked to facility improvements, according to information passed out at the meeting.
The city also is facing a federal mandate – with a Jan. 1, 2013 deadline – to reduce bandwidth for its public safety dispatch systems. The cost will be about $9 million for the radio purchases and dispatch center upgrades and general renovation.
Blue Springs currently has a relatively low sales tax rate compared to most surrounding communities (7.3 percent), though certain areas, like Coronado Drive, Adams Dairy Landing and Home Depot, have a rate of 8.35 percent. Wal-Mart is 7.85 percent.
The work really paid off.
Voters in Blue Springs passed the proposed half-cent public safety sales tax by a 20 percent margin. According to unofficial election results, 2,933 voters, or 59.96 percent, voted for the issue, while 1,959 voters, or 40.04 percent, voted against the issue.
Melodie Chrisman, a member of the group charged with promoting the issue throughout the city, said she was speechless.
“We worked so hard on this, so hard,” she said shortly after the final results came in.
What was the secret ingredient?
“Informing and educating the public,” she said. “And it’s really impressive because of the economic times we’re in.”
The half-cent sales tax, which will start to be collected in October, will generate $3 million annually and will help alleviate current and upcoming revenue issues in the Blue Springs Police Department.
Issues that will be addressed include personnel, facilities and equipment.
The sales tax will have no sunset, or expiration, due in part to the continuing improvements and additional salaries required throughout the years.
The half-cent sales tax will fund 10 new officers – seven in the patrol division, two in the street crimes unit and one assistant deputy chief. It also will fund four detention officers, one evidence and property custodian and one animal control officer.
The additional officers will allow for one more officer on each working shift, 24 hours per day, according to the city.
Proponents say residents have indicated they want more police visibility in retail and residential areas.
Facility needs include enlargement and renovation of police headquarters, specifically improvements to the detention area and evidence unit. About $8.2 million would be earmarked to facility improvements, according to information passed out at the meeting.
The city also is facing a federal mandate – with a Jan. 1, 2013 deadline – to reduce bandwidth for its public safety dispatch systems. The cost will be about $9 million for the radio purchases and dispatch center upgrades and general renovation.
Blue Springs currently has a relatively low sales tax rate compared to most surrounding communities (7.3 percent), though certain areas, like Coronado Drive, Adams Dairy Landing and Home Depot, have a rate of 8.35 percent. Wal-Mart is 7.85 percent.
