Residents to Vote on Extending Sales Tax to Fund Capital Improvement Projects

Members of the Board of Aldermen voted on an ordinance to hold an election to extend a half cent sales tax for the purpose of funding capital improvements and paying the costs of operation and maintenance of previously built capital improvements in Tuesday’s meeting. The tax has been in effect since 1994 and is not an additional levy upon citizens.

Capital improvement funds may be used to buy vehicles to perform department tasks, repair road and sidewalk infrastructures and renovate government buildings, said Anne Lamitola, Director of Public Works and City Engineer.

Mayor Bill Nolan plans to appoint members to a special capital improvements committee to oversee how funds will distributed to complete proposed projects around the city. The committee will be required to submit an outline to the Board by the end of the year.

Aldermen Thomas Musich and Scott Haggerty voted against the ordinance due to a lack of knowledge of how capital improvements funding will be distributed. A special election will be held on August 7 to give residents an opportunity to weigh in on the matter.