The Osceola City Council adopted two ordinances Monday which carves a path for quality of life improvements.
The two ordinances place two measures on the November ballot asking Osceola voters if they’re willing to support an additional one cent sales tax. The revenue generated would be earmarked for recreational activity. If voters decide in favor of measures, it would increase the city sales tax to two cents on the dollar.
The council is considering ideas such as a water park and improvements at the Osceola Municipal Golf Course although there isn’t a concrete plan yet. Regardless, 7/8 of the one cent must be used for new construction, while the balance of the tax would be put toward operations and maintenance.
Monette City Council passed an ordinance Monday evening to place a one percent city sales tax on the ballot for the Nov. 14 election.
Ordinance 2023-3 calls for a special election in the city of Monette on the questions of issuing bonds for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the cost of capital improvements by levying a one percent sales tax for the purpose of paying for the bonds.
“The revenues from this tax would go toward building a new fire station, a new community center, and making improvements to the baseball complex,” said Monette Mayor Bob Blankenship. “As Monette continues to grow, we need we need to grow with it. It is expensive to build and make improvements, but we feel it will not put a burden on our citizens. We are thinking about the future of our town and its residents.”
In the Nov. 14 special election, Monette citizens can cast individual votes for each or all of the three capital improvement bond issues.
“The great news about these projects is the fact the tax will be discontinued when the bonds are paid for,” Blankenship said. “The tax is not a forever thing, just until the financial obligation is paid. It could take as little as 17 years to do that, but not more than 30 years. None of this money goes into the city treasury. That is an important thing to everyone.”
The maximum principal for fire station improvement bonds were listed at $2,025,000. Community center improvement bonds are listed at $1,100,000. Park and ball field improvement bonds are listed at $700,000.
Michael Harper, with Crews & Associates, and Michael Moyer, with Friday, Eldredge & Clark, were on hand to answer questions from the council concerning bond issues and financing.
Other city business and announcements included:
* Mayor Blankenship reported the Fun Park Grant had been completed and sent in before deadline.
* Monette Fall Festival, set for Sept. 30, has received 60 vendor applications and over 50 antique vehicles involved in the annual car show. A circus will be included in this year’s plans, plus a petting zoo and prize give-aways.
* Announcement of Monette Christmas Parade being set for Saturday, Dec. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Monette American Legion building on East Drew Avenue.