BUCKNER, Mo. — After a proposed sales tax question on Tuesday's ballot ended in a stalemate, city officials in Buckner are going back to the drawing board.
Mayor Darrel Box asked the Board of Alderman on Thursday to consider putting the proposal on April's ballot and trying again.
"We have to have that filed by Jan. 29, so (asking) gives them time to think about it," Box said. "That also gives us an opportunity to get in front of the community."
Voters deadlocked at 145 votes for and against the peopsoed 1% sales tax increase, which would have bolstered Buckner's general fund. The initiative needed a majority in order to pass.
Technically, the result isn't yet official.
The Jackson County Board of Election will certify the vote tally Thursday and also will do a hand recount, but with only one polling place and no reported irregularities no change is anticipated.
Proceeds of the sales tax would have gone into the city's general fund, which is used to pay for police protection, building inspection services, animal control, administration and other fees.
Box estimated it would have generated up to $250,000 annually.
Without the money, city leaders said they will look at "every dollar" being spent in the general fund.
"We can't keep borrowing from the street fund," Box said. "We can't keep borrowing from the sewer fund. Those IOUs are going to become due at some point."
