Republic parks tax renewals set for ballot

Passage would pave way for 136-acre athletic complex; doubling of Aquatic Center; Farmers Market
 
Republic City Council voted in favor of placing two parks tax renewals—one for parks operations and the other for capital improvement projects—on the Aug. 2 ballot, at the body's April 19 meeting.

Park operations tax - Prop A
In the absence of members Shane Grooms and Gerry Pool, the other members voted 6-0 in favor of asking voters to re-up the current 1/4 cent sales tax used to fund parks and recreation general operations. A renewal wouldn't changed the tax rate for the city, but would be an extension of the current tax.
Voters originally agreed to the parks tax in 1990, and again in 2002, but the end is near for the measure which expires March 31, 2024.
If passed by the electorate this go round, it will run for 25 years, and is estimated to bring in around $918,000 in 2022 alone. The revenue is used to cover approximately 27 percent of the Parks and Rec. Department operating expenses.

Park capital improvement tax - Prop B
The second proposed 1/4 cent parks tax, which involves capital improvement projects, was a harder sell to the council. After much discussion, mostly generated by questions posed by member Eric Franklin, the board voted 5-1 in favor of sending the proposal to the voters, with Franklin dissenting.   
This tax, which originated in 2003, sunsets on Sept. 30, 2024, and is solely a renewal, which won't result in a rate increase.
In its 20-year run, this tax has been exceptionally fruitful for the municipality, helping build the Republic Aquatic Center, The Amp at J.R. Martin Park, Republic Veterans Memorial, Brookline Park, Owen Park and other amenities within other parks.

Major improvements slated if passed
The measure as it will appear on the August ballot will sunset in 25 years and will fund a list of new projects including doubling the size of the aquatic center with a lazy river ($6-7 million); development of a 136-acre community park featuring a regional athletic complex ($32-40 million), and adding a farmer's market and community event space at J.R. Martin Park ($3-4 million).

Mayor pro-tem
The election of mayor pro-tem was the first action item on the agenda. Franklin, Ward 1, accepted a nomination from Christopher Updike, Ward 3. As that was the only nomination for the position, a vote was taken. Members Garry Wilson and Jennifer Mitchell voted against Franklin as mayor pro-tem, while the other four members voted in the affirmative, giving Franklin the nod.

In other action…
The council also voted 6-0 to:
- Approve the final plat of The Lakes at Shuyler Ridge Phase 3 Subdivision;
- Approve the final plat of the Olde Savannah Phase 3A Subdivision;
- Participate in an agreement with City Utilities and other communities as part of a regional broadband initiative dedicated to extending broadband high-speed Internet to Republic;
- Enter into a direct loan agreement and promissory note with Missouri Transportation Finance Corporation for $4.2 million to be used on Highway MM expansion; specifically making MM five lanes between Amazon and I-44.

POA may dissolve with city permission
In the early moments of the meeting, the council heard from residents Evan Watson and Wyatt Jennings who were there on behalf of their property owner's association, which they requested the city dissolve. The two presented Mayor Matt Russell with paperwork needed to move the action forward.