In a spring election that attracted just 14% of those eligible to vote, the ballot decision with the most economic impact occurred in Jamesport where voters defeated a proposal to implement a municipal use tax. The count of 39-no, 29-yes was somewhat surprising.
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Jamesport officials hoped to put a use tax in place in order to benefit from legislation trickling down from the federal government, to the state level, and now to municipalities. The idea is to allow local governments to collect new tax revenue from out-of-state retailers who sell to Missouri residents, especially in regard to internet sales.
The use tax, as proposed, would immediately affect purchases on the popular online retailer Amazon, which is participating voluntarily as states across the nation look at ways to level the playing field between traditional “brick and mortar” businesses and those online. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has been a proponent of the measure.
Voters in Jamesport said “No,” perhaps reflecting a general mood against any tax increase, no matter the proposal.
FIRE DISTRICT
Election results on proposals to initiate a new Shoal Creek Fire Protection District, encompassing land in five counties, are inconclusive as this edition goes to press. Election officials expect to be able to confirm results by this Friday.
Incorporation of the proposed district can occur only if voters also approve an ad valorem property tax rate, proposed at 30-cents for $100 of assessed valuation. The initiative originated from the Braymer Volunteer Fire & Rescue. If approved, this is a move away from funding through membership dues to form a tax-based fire district.
According to Braymer Fire Chief Farrel Clevenger, the question of the incorporation of the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District, is leaning towards passage. Chief Ferrell said the election results he’s obtained from a news webpage, show Question One regarding incorporation at 261-yes and 165-no; Question 2 regarding the property tax at 253-yes and 170-no.
The vote was calculated in four counties, Daviess, Caldwell, Ray, Carroll and Daviess. (The fire district did not pursue a district in Livingston County.) Only nine Daviess County voters cast ballots involving the proposed Shoal Creek Fire District. All nine of the local votes were nay votes.
OTHER CONTESTS
There were very few other local ballots presenting decisions to voters; most township elections were determined by write-in votes, and many other ballots had candidates claiming various elected positions unopposed.
Three school districts in Daviess County did feature competition between declared candidates.