Joplin’s Proposition B campaign kicks off

Joplin city leaders have kicked off their campaign to talk about ‘Prop B’, which will be on the November 5th ballot. It aims to improve the recruitment and retention of Joplin police officers and firefighters. It’s a 1/2 cent sales tax that is fully dedicated to paying retirement benefits to Joplin police and firefighters.

Proponents add that voting yes will close the City’s underfunded pension plan and switch retirement benefits to a more cost-effective and competitive state retirement plan called LAGERS. The tax will supposedly save taxpayers more than $28 million over 20 years.

Coach Warren Turner of the American Legion is also a member of a citizens task force that looks to educate the public about the proposal. He says it’s a win-win. “We have a lot of people who come into Joplin on the weekends. They shop and they eat in our restaurants, we’re protecting those people and they haven’t paid anything…that’s the citizens doing it. Now we’re going to give them opportunity to help support our police and fire by paying this minimal tax.”

Fire Chief Jim Furgerson says it will help with their staffing. “We have a department that’s really staffed for 50,000 people, so when have an influx of 150,000 to 200,000 people, that’s who we’re truly protecting on a day in day out basis.”

Police Chief Matt Stewart says this is key to helping recruit experienced officers and retain those who have been in the force for a long time. “It’s been nice that city leaders have all been at the table working on this together and coming to this solution that we think is the best way to address the issue.”

The tax would end after 12 years or when the police and fire pension fund reaches 120% funding level, whichever comes first.