Sales tax has helped DPS better serve Sikeston

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety celebrated the one-year anniversary of its new headquarters building, July 17 -- an event that would have been unlikely without the revenue from the 1-cent sales tax which expiries Sept. 30, 2014 -- unless renewed by Sikeston voters on Aug. 6. The additional funding over the last decade has also enabled DPS to maintain and replace assets such as fire engines, pictured left, on a schedule that keeps them in top shape. (Photo by Scott Welton, Staff)

1-cent sales tax: Part one of three

scottw@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Crime rates are down as compared with a decade ago, according to public safety officials -- thanks to the 1-cent sales tax. How the next 10 years will go depends on what voters decide Aug. 6.

The 1-cent sales tax approved by voters to provide funding for the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority and for the construction of the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center, now called Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston, expires Sept. 30, 2014.

Voters were assured of specific uses for the proposed tax by proponents when it was approved 10 years ago. Among those was the promise to build up the Sikeston Department of Public Safety with one priority being for the tax to fund better pay for officers.

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