STRIKE 2: SCOTT CITY VOTERS DEFEAT STREET TAX FOR SECOND TIME

SCOTT CITY -- Voters in Scott City on Tuesday rejected for the second time a half-cent increase in city sales tax that would have funded street repairs.

The measure failed by a margin of 57.3 percent against and 42.7 percent in favor of the increase.

Only 20 percent of voters turned out for the single-issue election, a number that Mayor Shirley Young called "ridiculous." Of 2,702 registered voters in the city, only 552 cast ballots.

"Three hundred and sixteen people decided the city will not have street repairs, and 2,150 just don't care," the mayor said soon after hearing of the election results. "This voter apathy is ridiculous."

Scott County Clerk Bob Kielhofner, who tallied the votes, reported 316 "no" votes and 236 "yes" votes. That figure includes nine absentee ballots, six of which were against the tax increase.

Residents of all wards voted at City Hall in an effort by the city to hold down election costs. The election cost the city about $600, the mayor said, compared to about $1,200 for a multiward election.

Young said she was disappointed about the defeat. "There are places (in streets) that won't last through the winter," she said. "But the majority has spoken."

Young said: "I have a lot more respect for the 316 people who voted no than the 2,150 who didn't care enough to come down and vote. I don't think 20 percent of the people should decide the issue for the entire town."

The tax increase would have generated about $100,000 annually for five years. Had it passed, the tax increase would have gone into effect in October.

City officials, including members of the City Council, have backed the tax, saying there is not enough money in the city budget to fund street repairs and improvements.

In April, voters defeated an identical tax increase proposal. That election also netted 316 negative votes, but 283 people voted for the tax increase. Voter turnout in April was 22 percent.

Young said the city will not try for the tax increase for streets again. But she warned the defeat may mean "drastic cuts" in some areas of the city budget.

She said the city will have to find money to patch streets that are severely damaged. "There can't be any paving done, but we'll have to find the money for patching," she said. Young said the City Council will have to decide where the money will come from.

"The council will have to reassess the budget and decide where cuts could be made," she said. The cuts will likely be discussed at the next council meeting Aug. 19, she said.

Young said the city recently received notice that it will face a near $9,000 increase during the coming year in landfill dumping fees. She said there is no money in the budget to cover those costs.

The city usually hauls 10 loads of trash to a Sikeston landfill each week, and the cost of doing so has risen by $17.20 per load.

"It's discouraging and disappointing but we'll just have to do the best with what we have," she said.