Kirksville council places 3/8-cent sales tax question on April ballot to fund police, two fire stations

The Kirksville City Council voted Jan. 12 to place an ordinance on the April 7 ballot asking voters to approve an additional sales tax described in the ordinance as "3 eighths of 1%" to finance construction of a police station and two fire stations and to retire related obligations.

City Manager Mary Macomber told the council the city had refined the scope after a previous measure failed and that estimated total costs for the projects are about $29.4 million: roughly $11 million for a new police station and about $9 million for each fire station. She said the proposed tax would take effect Oct. 1, 2026, and run through Sept. 30, 2051, unless revenues are sufficient to retire the debt earlier.

"The total estimate based on comparables ... for these projects is $29,400,000," Macomber said. "That includes $11,000,000 for [the] police station and $9,000,000 each for the different fire stations." She added the city expects a portion of revenues (estimated around $500,000) to go to debt service.

Council members discussed communications and community outreach should the measure go to the voters. One council member said the council has a responsibility to make sure people understand what they are voting for and suggested finding community "champions" to speak for the measure.

The ordinance was added to the agenda earlier in the meeting and passed both first and second readings at this session; the council approved placement on the ballot by voice vote.

Next steps: City staff and council members said they will develop outreach and informational materials and identify supporters in the community to explain the measure to voters before the April election.