Springfield Voters Approve 3/4-cent Sales Tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Springfield Voters Approve 3/4-cent Sales Tax

 
Tax will fund police and fire pension and salary increases, capital improvement projects and initiatives

Springfield voters approved a new ¾-cent sales tax on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 to fund essential public services, including police and firefighters pensions, competitive pay, and improvements to neighborhoods, streets and parks, as part of the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan.

Mayor Ken McClure is grateful to Springfield voters. 

“We deeply appreciate Springfield taxpayers for their commitment to the future and safety of our city. This vote was confirmation that we are moving in the right direction and have the support of the people,” said Mayor Ken McClure. “I want to thank all who supported the proposal and also those who worked to educate the public about it, including the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 152, Springfield Police Officers Association, Springfield Contractors Association, City staff, and the co-chairs of the Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment Phyllis Ferguson and Tom Prater. 

Unanimously recommended to City Council by a 30-member Citizens’ Commission on Community Investment (CCCI), appointed by McClure, the tax will go into effect April 1, 2025.

Fifteen million a year (1/4 cent of the tax) will go to public safety and the remaining $30 million (1/2 cent) to comprehensive plan initiatives. The ¼-cent includes covering the required remaining contributions to the Police-Fire Pension system and an increase in police and firefighter pay to a level competitive with peer cities. This portion of the tax has no sunset as it covers police and fire personnel expenses which are an ongoing cost.

The 1/2 cent will be invested in neighborhood and community initiatives consistent with the Forward SGF comprehensive plan. This portion has a 10-year sunset and strong accountability measures recommended by the CCCI, including defined project considerations and an ongoing citizens’ advisory committee to provide oversight and project recommendations using the City’s “completed as promised” model. 

Citizens interested in expressing interest in applying for membership in this committee, may do so here: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/FormCenter/City-Council-6/Citizens-Advisory-Committee-Interest-For-529.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CORA SCOTT AT 417-380-3352 OR [email protected].