Information on sales tax issue mailed to Joplin residents

(From the City of Joplin)

Joplin voters will address the question of whether to renew a capital improvement sales tax dedicated to major road projects within the city at the upcoming August 5 election. Originally passed by voters in 2004, the 3/8-cent sales tax has generated more than $44 million in revenues allowing the City to complete 19 road projects in the past ten years. This revenue source will end on January 1, 2015.

Earlier in 2014, a citizens task force reviewed the past projects along with the ongoing needs for capital road improvements in Joplin, and recommended to the City Council to ask voters to renew the sales tax for another ten-year period. The task force reviewed 43 projects and prioritized the list to include 14 projects for the next 10 years. If passed, the capital improvement sales tax is projected to bring in approximately $46 million in revenues.

To address specific questions and further explain the process of the Capital Improvement Sales Tax Renewal Committee, the City has developed a brochure addressing the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The brochure also includes a list of the completed projects with “before and after” pictures of some of the road projects. A list of projects proposed for the next ten year period and a corresponding map are highlighted in the brochure as well.

This informational brochure will be mailed to Joplin residents this week. It can also be found on the City’s website at www.joplinmo.org/CISTrenewal

An upcoming Newsmakers program also focuses on this topic. Host Judy Stiles visits with Public Works Director Nick Heatherly and Harold McCoy, Chairman of the Capital Improvement Sales Tax Renewal Committee, about this issue. The interview program may be seen on KGCS-TV at the following times:

Wed. July 23 – 8:00 p.m.

Mon. July 28 – 5:30, 8:30 p.m.

Tue. July 29 – 5:30 p.m.

Wed. July 30 – 5:30 p.m.

Mon. Aug. 4 – 8:30 p.m.

KOAM – Sat. July 26 – 5:30 a.m.

The interview can also be found on Missouri Southern’s YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STlffGSajKo

Newsmakers is produced by KGCS-TV, a service of the Department of Communication at Missouri Southern State University. KGCS programming airs over the air on digital channel 22 and on regional cable systems including Cable One, Mediacom and Suddenlink.

For more information about the proposed projects and the renewal of the Capital Improvement Sales Tax contact Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer, at 417-624-0820, ext. 204.