Republic considers 3/4-cent sales tax for public safety

If council OK’s, voters will decide whether to boost police/fire hires, pay on August ballot
After years of financial shortcomings laid at the feet of Republic police officers and firefighters, the city is now considering asking voters to approve a 3/4-cent general fund sales tax to be used only for public safety.
The tax, which would sunset in 25 years, would generate an estimated $2.75 million annually for the city to hire more police officers and firefighters, and increase their pay and retirement benefits to stay competitive. As would be specifically stated on the ballot, this money could only be used for public safety.
If voters OK the measure, the Republic Police Department would add 12 new positions, nine of which would be officers to patrol the streets. In comparison to other nearby and similar municipalities, Ozark and Nixa, Republic is woefully shorthanded in this area. Ozark and Nixa boast a ratio of 1.9 officers for every 1,000 residents, while Republic maintains only 1.3 officers.
The Republic Fire Department is also at a disadvantage when compared to departments at Nixa and Ozark, where a property tax is used to support their operation. Republic has no such property tax.
If a ballot measure is passed, the fire department would use the funds to hire 14 new positions— simply meeting the fire industry standard—and would increase the retirement benefit by 9 percent, the same retirement increase the police department is seeking. The nine-percent bump represents the deficit between the current Republic retirement benefit and what other groups offer.

 Current tax rate
The city of Republic is hovering in the middle of nearby municipal tax rates. While some similar sized towns have lower rates, many more districts have higher rates.
Republic residents pay a rate of 8.35 percent, which is comprised of 4.225 percent to the state of Missouri; 1.74 percent to Greene County and 2.375 percent to the city of Republic.
If the tax proposal is accepted by voters, it would increase Republic’s tax rate to 9.1 percent. In contrast, this would still trail Ozark’s highest rates but would altogether surpass Nixa.
Council discussion
The potential ballot measure was announced by City Administrator David Cameron at the March 23 Republic City Council meeting. The discussion that followed included support both for and against the action.
Council Member Eric Franklin seemed to throw the most doubt on the matter with a prepared laundry list of questions and concerns. However, when asked for a better alternative to the tax, the best Franklin could muster was an idea for a workshop to further generate ideas, which seemed amenable to other members of the council.
Conversely, longtime Council Member Garry Wilson, who steadfastly maintains a soft-spoken demeanor, spoke up heavily in favor of the sales tax, adding that he was an ardent supporter of the police and fire departments.
Vote to vote
The matter will likely be voted on following its second reading at the April 6 council meeting. If passed by the council, it will be presented to voters on the August 2021 ballot.