Branson extends sales tax

by Jill Henry

SBJ Reporter

jhenry@sbj.net

Branson voters approved a half-cent transportation sales tax on the Aug. 3 ballot, extending the tax, initially approved in 1991, through 2025.

Jerry Adams, public information director for the city of Branson, said the tax, which was favored by 74 percent of voters, previously had a seven-year sunset clause. Extending the sunset clause to 2025, Adams said, was "so we don't have to go back so frequently to voters."

Adams estimates that this year the tax will generate a 1 percent increase of the $4.1 million it raised in 2003. The tax brought in $4 million in 2002, $3.9 million in 2001 and $3.9 in 2000. Nearly 90 percent of the tax is paid by tourists.

New roads as alternatives to Highway 76 already have been funded by the tax, including Roark Valley Road, Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, Green Mountain Drive and Epps Road. Road-widening projects also were funded by the tax.

"One of the immediate needs is currently under construction and that's the extension of Branson Hills Parkway to connect with Highway 248, and that is also the parkway that will be the main access to our new $10 million recreation center that we are constructing in Branson Hills," Adams said. The 42-acre recreation center is expected to open in June 2005.

Other immediate projects include extending Epps Road southward to connect with Highway 76, adding turn lanes at Roark Valley Road and Highway 76 and an eastbound lane on Highway 76, and adding turn lanes at the U.S. Highway 65/Highway 76 interchange.

These improvements, along with the extension of Branson Hills Parkway to Highway 76, will cost $15.5 million.

The half-cent transportation sales tax will partially fund the first roundabout intersection in the Branson area. "This will be located just south of the Taneycomo/Hwy. 65 bridge out of downtown Branson. This is the old bridge that goes into Hollister," Adams said.

Construction will begin in early 2005. Taney County is sharing the $850,000 cost of the project.