Sikeston City Council designates marijuana sales tax funds for new fire station

Sikeston City Council members are pictured during their Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, regular meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall. (Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)

Should Sikeston voters approve the marijuana sales tax proposal on April 4, revenue from the tax will go to the building of a new fire station.

During their regular meeting Monday, Feb. 27, Sikeston City Council approved the designation of marijuana sales tax funds to the construction of a new fire station. On April 4, Sikeston voters will decide whether to allow the City of Sikeston to place a 3% sales tax on adult use marijuana sold within the city.

Since the passage of Ordinance Number 6293 (sales tax proposal), city staff has discussed where the new funds might best serve the community. As a result, the recommendation was for the funds to be used for the construction of a new fire station on Malone. The property for the new fire station has already been acquired, and an architect has been chosen for the project.

The tax is not anticipated to generate the full amount needed; the remainder will be paid from fund balance or future revenues.

A contract approval for the addition of flock cameras to the city’s camera infrastructure was also approved by the council Monday evening.

The Department of Public Safety presented a contract approval for flock safety for a five-year agreement to add two flock cameras to the city’s current camera system. Investigators could utilize camera technology to track down vehicles involved in various crimes.

By signing this agreement, Sikeston DPS gets access to a full database for these agencies and all other Missouri agencies as well. The total cost is $25,700, invoiced yearly, with an initial payment of $5,700. The remaining years will be taxed at $5,000 per year.

Jeff Hall Excavation was approved for a bid for ditch cleaning in numerous places for a total of $66,600 by council. Ditch mopping for the complex ditches along North Ingram ($13,500), Tanglewood Ditch, Butler Street Ditch, and North Kingshighway Ditches ($29,600), Lateral B Ditch from East Malone to St. John’s Ditch ($11,000) and Railroad Ditch on the east side of Alan Wire on S. West Street ($12,500) is included in the bid.

Council also agreed to buy a snow plow and salt spreader system for a City of Sikeston pickup truck from Viking-Cives in Morley, Missouri. The cost is $16,975, and it is budgeted.

In other action, Council:

— Council authorized Bacon/Farmer/Workman to act as the city’s consultants for Northwest Side-Phase 2 design and inspection services.

— Waters Engineering was authorized by council to act as the city’s consultant for both design and inspection services for the Rail-to-Trail-Phase 3 project.

The next Sikeston City Council meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday, March 6 at City Hall.