Joplin city officials push for 'yes' vote on Proposition Action
What do you think?
The city of Joplin is making its final push in convincing you to vote YES on Proposition action. Read their full press release below:
With less than two weeks away from the November election, the City of Joplin would like to remind Joplin resident to please review materials they will receive in the mail regarding the ballot item titled Proposition Action. The City developed the educational brochure to help address questions citizens may have about this important community issue.
On Tuesday, November 2, Joplin voters will answer a question whether to collect a local use tax on items purchased from out-of-state vendors through the internet or by catalog and shipped to Joplin for use. A use tax is applied to the same type of products subject to sales tax when purchased in a store here in Joplin. Citizens would never pay both. It’s one or the other depending on where the goods are purchased.
The use tax would be collected at the same rate as the current sales tax (3.125%). Revenues from the use tax will be used to improve the community by meeting the City Council Goals through the 2021 Action Plans. Proposition Action is the only question on the ballot in both Jasper and Newton Counties for this election.
Proposition Action is a result of the Council setting six community goals and City staff developing nearly 50 Action Plans to work towards these goals. Additional resources will be needed for some plans, while others will focus on collaboration among departments and community organizations. These plans are outlined in six categories related to the goals:
Improving Community Appearance
Address Declining Neighborhoods
Increasing Economic Opportunities
Reduce Crime and Increase Safety
Information was originally gathered through the City Manager’s Listening Tour in 2020. By asking citizens what they thought the City does well, what could be improved and what they saw for Joplin’s future, the City received more than 7,000 comments from the community. The data helped Council as they established the goals to move Joplin forward past the recovery phase of the 2011 tornado.
“We saw the benefits of working together following the tornado,” said Mayor Ryan Stanley. “There’s great value in working in partnership. Let’s partner together as we strive to make Joplin the City we want and deserve.”
Information from the Listening Tour, including a summary of the survey as well as a full report of received comments, can be found on the Joplin’s website.
“We’re thankful for your feedback that allowed us to set intentional goals that bring revitalization to our community to make our next 150 years as great as our past 150 years,” said Mayor Pro Tem Keenan Cortez.
Earlier this year the City Council commissioned a Citizens Task Force to study this issue, review the Action Plans, and develop methods to inform Joplin voters about the election. At the October 18, 2021 Council meeting Committee Co-Chair Rob O’Brian made a presentation explaining the initiative for citizens viewing the Council meeting on television. He noted that the Prop Action citizens group recommended having a committee of residents to oversee the progress of the Action Plans and Goals related to the use tax proposal, if voters approve it November 2. After discussion of this matter, Council unanimously approved the appointment of a committee for this purpose.
More details about Proposition Action can also be found on the City’s website. For questions about Proposition Action, please contact the City at 417-624-0820, ext. 1204.
