Proposition F
LOWER PROPERTY TAX
SAME PUBLIC SAFETY
This April, voters in the Creve Coeur Fire Protection District will have the opportunity to CHANGE the way fire, EMS, and rescue services are funded all while REDUCING their PERSONAL and REAL PROPERTY tax rates.
As neighboring fire districts introduce Prop F as a way to reduce their residents property taxes, we believe it is only fair to give our residents the same opportunity to vote on that option and decide what is best for our community.
Voting YES on proposition F will provide modern funding mechanisms that allow the Fire District to maintain services and roll back property tax rates.
Voting YES on proposition F will lessen the burden on property owners by ensuring that everyone who commutes through, works in, or shops in our community contributes to public safety.
What does Prop F do?
Proposition F is a measure on the April 7th ballot to create a 1-cent sales tax that will support fire and emergency medical services. If approved, it would provide funding for the District's operations and reduce property taxes by half of the amount received from sales tax revenues. It allows the visitors in our community to contribute to the emergency services and infrastructure that they already use. So when the daytime population multiplies substantially, every dollar spent by visitors helps ease the burden on you, the resident.
How will Prop F roll back my Property Taxes?
State statute guarantees that half of the revenue generated by this sales tax will be given back to District residents through a reduction in your property tax rate. Both real estate and personal property. So both homeowners and renters will see real relief.
Every year, when the District sets its annual property tax rates, they will look back over the last 12 months of sales tax revenue collected and reduce the property tax rate to account for that additional revenue.
Residents will then feel that savings on their annual property tax bills. Prop F is about creating flexibility in how safety is funded without overburdening property owners.
Property owners will see their annual taxes rolled back based on the revenue generated by sales tax.
Why is a sales tax needed now?
A Modern Approach
Property tax is becoming increasingly unpopular and unreliable as a long-term funding source for Fire Districts. Personal property tax freezes and elimination are imminent, but that won’t bring relief for residents. It will just shift the taxes onto their most valuable and appreciating asset – their house.
True Property Tax Relief
This sales tax initiative shifts the burden away from property owners and with it, residents will have more control over when and how much they pay in taxes. They will also know exactly how much they're paying because there's no complicated formulas like property tax.
Transparency in Taxes
If Proposition F is approved, sales tax would increase by one cent for every dollar spent on consumer goods and other purchases. Certain items would remain exempt in accordance with existing state sales tax laws. Items like fuel, utilities, medications and medical supplies are exempt. As well as WIC And SNAP benifit items.
Responsible Planning
Fire Districts maintain emergency reserves and use multi-year planning to ensure response times, staffing, and equipment don’t suffer in lean economic years. The District will still be able to float real property rates up in a bad economy and rates will be reduced even further in good economic years. The generated sales tax will drive all of it.
What if it doesn't pass?
If this measure does not pass we will continue to operate with the funding mechanism that is currently in place. Your property tax rates will not be affected. It is possible that we will periodically have to come back to the voters for property tax increases as state legislation reduces our operating tax rates.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EXACT BALLOT LANGUAGE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VISIT THE FIRE DISTRICT OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
https://www.crevecoeurfire.org/proposition-fire
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