Springfield voters asked about sales tax increase

Olathe, Kan.-based ETC Institute is conducting the survey for the city. The firm is aiming for 400 responses, and the survey should be complete early this week, according to city spokeswoman Louise Whall. Results will be presented to City Council.

The city has $7.2 million in its current budget for the pension fund – $5.3 million short of what the fund’s actuary recommends. State law requires the city to contribute the full actuarial recommendation at least once in the next five years or risk losing state funding.

Recommendations for covering the shortfall include a sales tax increase, a reduction in Police and Fire pension benefits or a 7 percent cut to the city’s 2008-09 General Fund expenditures. (Vote on the issue in sbj.net’s latest poll.)

The city is expected to make a final recommendation for City Council to review at a March 17 budget workshop.