Council backs 911 tax proposal

Council passed a resolution at its Feb. 26 meeting in favor of putting a 1/8-cent sales tax proposal on the April 3 Greene County ballot. Money from the new tax would be earmarked for additional staff at the county’s E-911 service.

No additional employees have been hired for the 911 system since the enhanced system – the system that alerts operators as to the location of the caller – went countywide in 1994.

“Our effort now is aimed at trying to fully fund 911, as it currently operates at a $1.5 million deficit,” Presiding Commissioner David Coonrod said, noting that Springfield, Greene County and the city of Republic fund the department’s operations. “It’s a desperate situation.”

Coonrod said the center, which currently employs about 60, needs 22 additional staff members to operate at full capacity, which would be paid for by the sales tax.

Springfield City Manager Bob Cumley told council the sales tax is needed not just because the 911 system is understaffed, but also because state law prohibits 911 taxes to be assessed to wireless communications users, who now make 53 percent of 911 calls.

“We now have the ability by state law to have a general sales tax that can be earmarked and not just go into the general fund,” Cumley said. “That’s why the commission is putting this on (the ballot) in April.”

Local government leaders have expressed frustration at the fact that Missouri has not given local jurisdictions the authority to levy a 911 tax on cell phone users – a fact that makes Missouri unique in the entire country.

“I know there’s been some frustration on the state level in not getting needs met,” Councilman Bob Jones said. “But it’s also exceptionally gratifying to see the county, the city and Republic band together.”

Commissioner Coonrod noted that the new tax would replace the landline surcharge – currently assessed at 10 percent.

“Doing away with the landline levy will be a big savings, mainly for seniors,” Coonrod said, noting that more young people are opting to forego traditional landlines in favor of cell phones.

Improvement projects

• Council approved an agreement with CoxHealth to make improvements at the intersection of National Avenue and Primrose Street.

CoxHealth will donate right-of-way on each quadrant of the intersection so that the city can proceed with a $4 million project that includes dual left-turn lanes and dedicated right-turn lanes in all directions. Also, the project calls for National to be widened to six lanes south of Primrose. Funding for the project, intended to alleviate one of the city’s most congested intersections, will come from the city’s 1/4-cent capital improvements tax.

• Council also approved a $96,690 expansion project at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department Animal Shelter.

The project will add about 750 square feet to the 936-square-foot shelter, giving the department the ability to separate dangerous animals from those waiting to be picked up by owners.

Funding for the project comes from a one-time reallocation of department funds. [[In-content Ad]]