BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – On Tuesday, April 4 Blue Springs residents voted in favor of a 5-Year Dedicated Parks Maintenance Sales Tax to provide funding for local parks.
“I was optimistic from the start that if we made the case the voters would support the needs for our parks which affect our quality of life,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “This passed with a 70% approval rating and on behalf of this City on the move and on the right track, I want to say thank you to our residents. I also want to recognize city council members, city staff, park commissioners, businesses, organizations & individuals that contributed funds for the campaign and Bill Essmann from Adams Dairy Bank and Donna Best from First American Title for their passionate support and leadership.”
The proposed 5-year dedicated parks maintenance sales tax initiative will be funded by residents and non-residents making retail purchases in Blue Springs. The ½ cent sales tax adds 25 cents for every $50 spent in Blue Springs and will raise approximately $3 million dollars annually. The new tax rate will be implemented on October 1, 2017.
“The Parks & Recreation Department thanks voters for their support on this initiative,” said Parks & Recreation Director Dennis Dovel. “We will be hosting public meetings this summer to ensure that the improvements outlined in the initiative meet resident needs and improve our overall parks system. Thank you again and we look forward to addressing deferred maintenance items over the next five years.”
The Parks Commission, made up of Blue Springs residents and business owners, will be charged with oversight of the tax. They will make regularly scheduled reports to the City Council and all tax expenditure reports will be available on the City’s website.
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