BELLE, Mo. - Voters from parts of Maries and Osage counties approved a tax levy Tuesday to fund the Belle Fire Protection District. It was the proposal's second year on the ballot after being voted down last year.
By a vote of 434-291, voters approved a property tax levy of 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation to fund firefighting operations. The levy passed in Osage County by a vote of 116-75; it passed in Maries County 318-216.
Last year, the issue failed in both counties by a vote of 224-208.
The new tax levy will pay for equipment upkeep, new equipment, insurance and other operation costs, according to department officials.
Fire Chief Dwight Francis said no funds will go toward any firefighter salaries and the levy will allow the department to start a vehicle replacement schedule.
The Belle Fire Protection District covers 102 square miles in northern Maries and southern Osage counties, serving Belle and the surrounding area.
Other election results from Maries County include:
City of Belle
Mayor - Josh Seaver, 223; Steven Vogt, 113; Chris Bray, 124
Marshal - Joseph Turnbough, 236; Chad Faulkner, 197; Kale Sullener, 27
Alderman Ward One - Jeanette Struemph, 141; Steward Darrah, 59
Alderman Ward Two - Ken Stanfield, 146; John Allen Green, 100
(Results include voters in Maries and Osage counties.)
Proposition One:
Shall the City of Belle impose a local use tax on out-of-state purchases at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, currently one percent (1%) 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?
A use tax return shall not be required to be filed by persons whose purchases from out-of-state vendors do not in total exceed two thousand dollars in any calendar year.
The purpose of the proposal is to eliminate the current sales tax advantage that Non-Missouri Vendors have over Missouri vendors.
Yes: 238
No: 216
(Results include voters in Maries and Osage counties.)
Maries R-1 Board of Education (two positions):
David Garro, 171; David Long, 164; Michael Kleffner, 166
Maries R-2 Board of Education (two positions):
Kenda Sanders, 625; Thomas Kinsey III, 463; Carla Butler, 440; Anthony Baretich, 163. (Results include voters in Maries, Osage and Gasconade counties.)
See also:
Callaway County election results
Maries County election results
Miller County election results
Moniteau County election results