EAST PRAIRIE -- East Prairie voters Tuesday will decide whether to continue a sales tax of one half of 1 percent to finance street improvements.

City officials want to extend the transportation sales tax for 10 years beyond its October 1999 expiration date. The tax was first approved in 1989 to cover the cost of paving gravel roads and resurfacing deteriorated routes.

The tax is expected to generate approximately $80,000 this year. About $600,000 has been collected since the tax became effective.

"Basically the big advantage to property owners for approving the tax is prior to passage property owners were assessed for partial cost of resurfacing," said city administrator Kathie Simpkins. "At the time I believe the voters believed everyone travelled the roads and uses them, so it was the fairest way to cover the costs for upkeep."

Simpkins said the tax will be used for all local road maintenance expenses with the exception of total reconstruction for curbs and gutters. A simple majority is necessary for passage.