Joplin property tax question to appear on August ballot

The city of Joplin is making an effort to generate revenue to fund a significant increase for police and fire wages.

The city council voted 8-1 Monday night to approve a measure that will place the following question on the August 2nd ballot:

“Shall the City Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri, be authorized to levy and impose annually for municipal purposes upon all subjects and objects of taxation within its corporate limits a tax which shall not exceed the maximum rate of one dollar on the one hundred dollars assessed valuation?”

Councilman Mark Farnham was the only ‘no’ vote.

The city says this will generate around $9 million in real and personal property tax revenue to support the public safety plan. That’s enough to cover the estimated $8.5 million needed. This tax will require a simple majority to be successful.

The city used an example saying that a home valued at $150,000 would cost around $285 in taxes. They also claim that $30,000 worth of personal property would cost about $100 a year.

If it is approved in August, the tax will go into effect in the current year with collections beginning in December.

This action stems from a recent study that found that the Police Department needs an additional 22 officers to increase the sworn personnel from 110 to 132.

Additionally, the study indicated the City needs to make every effort to fully staff the police department to its’ 110 authorized level. In order to attract and retain quality police officers, the study indicated that pay is one area that needs improved.

As a result of these studies, a plan has been presented to do the following items:

Police Department:

• Increase the police department staffing level by adding 22 officers
• Add up to 3 additional support staff
• Adopt a New Pay Plan that increases starting Police Officer pay by $10,000.00
• Make provisions for Tier 1 Public Safety personnel to retire, retain their rank and
pay while starting a new retirement under LAGERS
• Increase pay for Dispatchers

Fire Department:

• Add up to 15 additional staff for a new central city fire station
• Add 3 additional staff to bring Station #6 minimum staffing to four
• Add 1 Deputy Fire Marshal
• Adopt a New Pay Plan that increases starting Firefighter/EMT pay by $10,000.00
• Make provisions for Tier 1 Public Safety personnel to retire, retain their rank and
pay while starting a new retirement under LAGERS