Republic voters to decide on recreational marijuana tax

Six Republic city charter amendments to appear before voters on upcoming April 2 ballot
When Republic voters go to the polls on Tuesday, April 2, they will vote “Yes” or “No” on seven ballot issues, including whether to impose a sales tax on marijuana sales and if the city charter should be amended.
Marijuana sales tax
Republic residents are being asked to vote on Proposition G, which asks whether an additional three percent sales tax should be imposed on the sale of non-medical marijuana products inside the city. The ballot language reads: “Shall the City of Republic, Missouri impose an additional sales tax of three percent (3%) on the retail sale of adult use (non-medical) marijuana?”  
Republic has only one marijuana dispensary, Easy Mountain, in city limits, who would be charged the tax. The company has publicly stated the tax would only hurt the city, in that customers would take their business elsewhere where tax, and overall price, is less, including the black market.
According to speculation provided on the city website, if Proposition G passes, it will generate “$100,000 to $200,000 in annual revenue” for the city.
The website also stated that the revenue could potentially be used to purchase two new police cars, pay for one mile of city road improvements, or be used for capital improvements or outreach.
City Charter amendments
Voters will also decide on six amendments to the City of Republic’s charter. They are as follows:
- Question One: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, Section4.4(g), be amended, and new Section6.3 be added, to reassign the duty to appoint the City Attorney from the Mayor to the City Administrator, set forth minimum qualifications and duties of the City Attorney, and set forth the term of employment for the City Attorney?”
- Question Two: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, sections 3.2(c), 14.2(a) and 14.2(b), be amended to establish a schedule for the election of Councilmembers to staggered four-year terms at the General Municipal Election to be held on even years?
- Question Three: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, Section 3.6(c), be amended to clarify that a vacancy in the Council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any, at the next regular municipal election with expiring Council seats on the ballot?
- Question Four: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, Sections 3.10(f) and 3.10(9), be amended to establish requirements and procedures for the first and second reading of ordinances by title during a single open Council meeting and for final passage of an ordinance as part of the consent agenda at an open Council meeting?
- Question Five: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, Section 7.0 be repealed and a new subsection 7.3 be added to make capital planning part of the annual budget?
- Question Six: Shall the Charter of the City of Republic, Section 10.3, be repealed to allow for the administrative management of temporary permits issued for the operation of public utilities in accord with Republic Municipal Code?
For more info
More information can be found on the City of Republic website, www.republicmo.gov. Click on the “Administration” tab, the click on “Community,” and the go to the “Election Information – April 2, 2024” link.