VOTERS GUIDE 2012: Sales tax issue on the ballot in Cooper County

This article is part of the Missourian's 2012 general election voters guide.

BALLOT ISSUE

WHAT IT IS:

Voters will decide whether to apply a 0.5 percent sales tax increase in order to help pay for a mandated waste water project, as well as additional projects at the Kemper Military Campus and local parks.

COMPONENTS:

The city administration believes a sales tax increase is the best way to obtain money for the projects, due to past experiences in other communities.

The city had originally thought to place the measure on the August ballot, but later moved it to November to increase participation and to give residents more time to understand the issue.

The waste water project is the main priority, although the use of the Kemper Military Campus, which filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2002, is also one of the main goals. Presently, one out of five buildings of the Kemper Military Campus is in use. The project would improve additional buildings for future use.

REQUIRED FOR PASSAGE:

Simple majority.

WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT IF PASSED:

April 2013.