Joplin City Council To Consider Putting Sales Tax On Ballot

You could soon be paying a little more to dine or shop in Joplin. The City Council will meet on Monday to vote on putting an additional half-cent sales tax on the November 5th ballot. That tax would be used to fund the police and fire department’s pension fund.

Finance Director Leslie Haase says the pension fund is currently only 63.7% funded and is underfunded by nearly $24.1 million.

The ½-cent (.50) general sales tax would have a sunset of 12 years or when the pension plan reaches 120% funded. This additional sales tax is expected to generate $6.5 million to $7 million a year.