Voters will decide the fate of two tax proposals and a school bond issue in the upcoming municipal and school board elections on Tuesday, April 2.

Howard County voters are asked to pass a new tax for the county’s 911 system, while those in New Franklin could approve a new use tax and a no-tax-increase bond issue for the school district.

Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell predicts a low voter turnout of just 10% countywide for the election. She said school board races and tax proposals will draw voter turnout. 

Last year’s municipal and school board election drew 15.31% of registered voters, with a turnout of just 8.41% in 2022.

If approved, a countywide quarter-cent sales tax will increase the tax rate for the 911 service from $0.625 to $0.875, the equivalent of an extra 25 cents on a purchase of $100.

The additional revenue will allow the dispatch center to replace its aging CAD system, which allows for speedy communication between the dispatchers and emergency personnel such as firefighters, the ambulance service, and police. Replacing the 13-year-old CAD will cost upwards of $300,000.

Total yearly revenue from the additional quarter-cent tax is estimated to bring in approximately $120,000 annually.

The last time voters approved a tax for the 911 service was an eighth-cent sales tax in 2011.

The 911 service currently employs nine full-time dispatchers—with room for a tenth—who handle calls around the clock every day of the year. 

The tax has drawn wide support from local law enforcement and emergency management personnel.

The City of New Franklin is asking voters to approve a new use tax during the April 2 election. It is effectively a sales tax on goods purchased on the internet from out-of-state vendors. Currently, no sales tax is charged for such purchases. It is similar to a countywide use tax that brings in around $300,000 annually to the county.

The use tax will be tied to the city’s sales tax rate of 8.86%.

According to the ballot language (see Page 6), the use tax will increase or decrease alongside the sales tax. The use tax will not be charged on online goods from Missouri vendors. Nor will it be incurred on services or online subscriptions such as Netflix.

The tax is estimated to bring more than $87,000 annually. Any revenue received from the tax will go into the city’s general revenue fund.

Voters in the New Franklin school district will be tasked with voting on a $2 million bond proposal for capital improvements to the district. Taxes will not increase if voters approve the bond.

If approved, the bond revenue will fund capital improvements to roofing, HVAC, the kitchen, and other safety and facility improvements.  LJ Hart is handling the sale of bonds. 

New Franklin Superintendent Benji Dorson said that further information, such as interest rates and the total cost to the district, will be determined once the bond issue passes.

All three proposals must be approved by a simple majority to go into effect.