Nixa fire district voters block tax increase at ballot box

A ballot measure designed to shore up funding for the Nixa Fire Protection District did not garner enough voter support yesterday for passage.

Nearly 66% of 2,997 voters rejected the measure, with 12 of 12 precincts reporting, according to Christian County's unofficial election results. There were 1,971 votes against and 1,026 in favor. 

The ballot measure asked those in the district boundary, which covers 53 square miles and serves over 33,000 residents – mostly in Christian County – to approve an increase in its operational tax levy of 25 cents per $100 assessed valuation. For a house appraised at $200,000, this would have resulted in an increase of $7.92 per month, or $95 annually, based on the 19% residential assessment rate, according to the district website.

The tax increase proposal was designed to support higher staff salaries and additional personnel plus improvements to a pair of its four fire stations, as well as replacement of a 1996 rescue truck and protective equipment, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. 

In a statement posted to the Nixa Fire Protection District Facebook page, officials said they were disappointed in the results but respect the voters' decision. 

"We recognize that many families are facing their own financial pressures, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to learn about this issue and cast their vote," the statement reads. "However, the challenges facing our department remain. We'll work with our board of directors to evaluate our options and determine the best path forward to maintain essential services for our community.

"We'll continue exploring every avenue to address equipment needs, staff retention and service demands while being good stewards of taxpayer resources."

Regional issues
Christian County's Proposition A ballot measure failed at the ballot box yesterday, while a city of Bolivar electric issue got the green light.

Proposition A was rejected by roughly 67% of the 6,363 voters, with 29 of 29 precincts reporting, according to the county's unofficial election results. Of the total vote count, 4,264 were opposed and 2,099 were in favor.

If approved, the ballot measure would have implemented a 1.75% use tax on online purchases from vendors outside of the county.

"Our sales tax revenues are drying up, if you will," Christian County Commissioner Bradley Jackson said in a video on Facebook prior to the vote. 

In Bolivar, more than 94% of the 699 total votes cast were in support of the city's electric issue, according to Polk County's unofficial election results. That amounts to 660 votes in favor of the proposal. 

According to the ballot language, the Bolivar municipality now has voter approval to enter into a contract with Southwest Electric Cooperative to provide an electrical utility system to serve the city. The ballot language indicated Southwest Electric Cooperative would be granted 20-year rights to construct, maintain and operate a system of electrical facilities.