No-Tax-Increase $25 Million General Obligation Bond Issue - Proposition F on the April 5 Ballot

City leaders are requesting that St. Louis City voters consider a no-tax-increase $25 million general obligation bond that is called Proposition F on the April 5 ballot. The bond issue is being requested to enable the city to improve critical public safety and infrastructure needs. The bond will utilize the current tax levy;thereby, will not increase citizens' taxes.

Taxpayers may be aware that the City of St. Louis decreased the tax levy and reduced property taxes during the past recession to lessen financial burdens on its citizens. The tax levy dropped from a high 30 cents to a low 13 cents today. The current 13 cents tax levy is available for utilizing a $25 million bond issue without increasing taxes.

This is how Proposition F is worded on the April 5 ballot:

Shall the following be adopted:

Proposition to issue bonds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri, in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000) for the purpose of purchasing, replacing, improving, and maintaining the buildings, bridges, and equipment of the City of St. Louis, including (1) acquiring fire trucks, ambulances, personal protective equipment, and other fire-fighting apparatus for the St.Louis Fire Department;(2) acquiring refuse trucks for the Refuse Department;(3) updating computer hardware and software for City departments;(4) providing match share funds to repair, renovate, and replace bridges;(5) renovating recreation centers, buildings, and facilities owned by the City of St. Louis;and (6) for expenses associated with the issuance of the bonds. If this proposition is approved, the property tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged.