Sikeston, Blodgett and East Prairie voters approve sales tax issues

SIKESTON — Voters in Sikeston, Blodgett and East Prairie approved their respective sales tax issues during Tuesday’s special election.

Voters in the city of Sikeston opted to renew a 1% sales tax that will expire Sept. 30, 2034, with a vote total of 374 yes votes and 138 no votes.

In Scott County, there were 333 yes votes and 121 no votes. In New Madrid County, Sikeston voters also favored the tax in a vote of 41 to 17.

According to the City of Sikeston, this tax generates about $4 million annually. It provides funding for general city operations, including the Department of Public Safety, Public Works and Parks Department. The money is used to help pay for DPS officers, street improvements, general government services and more. The tax is for 10 years and will go before voters again for renewal in 2033.

In a vote of 27-0, voters who reside in the city limits of Blodgett approved imposing a new city sales tax of 2% on all merchandise sold in city limits.

“Administrations years ago had done away with our taxes, and the city wanted to get everything back and take advantage of the dollar store and help the town out,” Blodgett Mayor David Russell said about adding the tax question to Tuesday's ballot.

In May, a Dollar General store opened in Blodgett. The new tax will generate revenue that will go back into the city, he said.

“Right now we have a building and the Scott County Sheriff's Office uses it as a satellite office, but we'd like to afford our own police officer,” Russell said. “We're also working on some grants right now that would help with city sewers, sidewalks and streets, and we're looking forward to that.”

With their vote of 39 yes votes to 6 no votes, East Prairie voters gave approval for the City to impose a local use tax.

The tax is at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action.

According to the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce, this was not a new tax, but currently when East Prairie residents make purchases online, the tax goes to the county the item is purchased from and not the City of East Prairie. With Tuesday's approval, the tax dollars will now go to East Prairie, the Chamber said.

These results, which were provided by the respective county clerk's offices, are unofficial.