Jefferson City leaders outline 10-year renewal of half-cent capital improvement sales tax to fund police upgrades

Jefferson City officials on Saturday explained to residents why they want voters to renew the half-cent capital improvement sales tax for 10 years and how the revenue would be used to sustain police technology, equipment and a planned facility expansion.

City Administrator Bridal Krain told attendees the half-cent tax has funded roads, sidewalks and major infrastructure for decades and that the city council voted earlier this year to place a renewal with a 10-year sunset on the August ballot. "This is kind of the why on a 10 year instead of a 5 year sunset," Krain said, arguing longer terms let the city plan and finance large projects and better leverage grant dollars.

Police Chief Eric Wilde said the police department receives roughly 8% of the overall CIP sales tax—about $500,000 annually—and uses that funding across four capital categories: field operations equipment, information-systems improvements, 9-1-1 communications…