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Republic Voters to Decide Revision, Extension of Sales Tax Tuesday

A sign telling voters where to go to cast ballots hangs on a fence.
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/
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A sign telling voters where to go to cast ballots hangs on a fence.

A question on next week’s ballot in Republic would extend an existing quarter-cent capital improvements sales tax and allow it to be used for more projects. 

David Cameron, city administrator of Republic, said funding is needed for a variety of projects, not just stormwater improvements, which the tax currently allows for.

"Like, we have sidewalk and trail additions.  We're working on a new animal control facility; storm siren additions, police cars, downtown work that needs to be done and stormwater projects that still need to be ongoing," Cameron  said.

According to Cameron, one tornado siren in Republic is currently nonworking.  With approval of the tax, which is set to expire in October, three would be added. 

The renewal of the quarter-cent sales tax, he said, would ease the city’s financial burden and would allow for improvements in public safety, quality of life and more. 

"It's not adding a tax.  It's just re-utilizing it, but it's a myriad of projects, not just specifically to stormwater," he said.

A sidewalk would be added along busy Hines Street, which leads to a park where a trail would be built.  Signage to market the city would be added.  And improvements could be made to make the city more ADA compliant.

The tax would sunset after 10 years.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.