Voters to decide half-cent sales tax

jillb@standard-democrat.com

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Commission is on a mission. The three commissioners are urging voters to approve a tax to fund improvements to the county's roads and bridges.

On the April 7 ballot, voters will be asked whether to impose a one-half cent sales tax, solely for the purpose of funding improvements to the transportation infrastructure. It would require approval by a simple majority of the voters to be implemented.

The tax, if approved, could generate $1.5 million or more annually, according to county officials. In return for the sales tax's passage, commissioners said they will reduce road and bridge property taxes by 50 percent.

According to the county officials, funding for the maintenance of New Madrid County's 600 miles of roads formerly came from the Missouri's County Aid Road and Trust Fund along with property taxes. However, over the past several years, the county has watched CART funds dwindle away.

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