Cole County voters approved an extension of the half-cent capital improvement sales tax Tuesday by what might be the largest percentage since it started.
County residents renewed Proposition A for another five years, continuing the tax into its seventh installment. The tax received 5,254 yes votes, or 79.04 percent, and 1,393 no votes, or 20.96 percent. The tax is estimated to generate $31 million for the county in the five-year period.
The tax will allow funding for both road and bridge projects, which receive 85 percent of the funds generated, and facility and equipment improvements, which receive the remaining 15 percent of the funding.
Brad Bates, co-chair of the renewal campaign, said he thinks the nearly 80 percent approval may be the highest percentage the tax has received since it began in the 1980s, adding it shows a majority of county residents want to see continued maintenance and improvements of county infrastructure.
Proponents of the tax had argued sales taxes are the most fair and efficient tax, ensuring those who use roads in the area help fund their continued maintenance and upgrades.
"It's a real win for the citizens of Cole County," Bates said. "Obviously, they're very pleased with everything that's been done and what's going to be done in the future, so it's really nice to see the community support this sales tax extension."
The tax's main opponent, Ed Williams, had argued sales taxes are unfair and regressive, noting the county should rely more on property taxes, which would have businesses and large property owners paying more.
After results came in approving the tax for another installment, Williams said he didn't have the resources to "get our story out." Williams said the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce "put a tremendous amount of money into this," and the Cole County Commission scheduled the vote for a time when turnout would be low.
The tax will be used to fund the following road improvements:
• $2.5 million for upgrading roads from gravel to paved. Mount Hope Road and Waterford Road both meet the traffic counts for upgrades in the recommendations.
• $4.325 million for major thoroughfares. This would include the continuation of upgrades along Business 50 to the St. Martins city limits, funding for potential projects like curb and guttering on Rainbow Drive, as well as work on Militia Drive and Liberty Road.
• $1.5 million for cooperative projects in the seven villages in the county. Communities would get $100,000 each to do overlay work but another $800,000 is included for cooperative projects.
• $6.25 million for resurfacing/concrete street replacement. Public works officials said they see an increase in the need to do such preventive maintenance on county roads.
• $3.4 million for bridge/culvert/low water crossing/stormwater improvements. Public works officials asked for the increase after seeing an increase in that work during the current sales tax cycle.
• The amount for the cooperative projects with Jefferson City would stay the same at $5.5 million.
Facility and equipment improvements, determined by the County Commission, would include spending $4.65 million divided as follows:
• $2.85 million for facility maintenance, modifications and renovations;
• $900,000 for computerization;
• $300,000 for capital equipment;
• $100,000 for parks; and
• $500,000 in contingency.
See additional election results in our Politics section.