Letter to the Editor: Prop B passage will not...
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Hazelwood City Council Cancels Fourth of July Fireworks Due to Budget Cuts
There will be no Fourth of July fireworks display in the City of Hazelwood due to budget cuts. Hazelwood City Council members made the decision to cancel this year’s event after the City’s projection of a $1.45 million dollar budget deficit.
“Cancelling the City’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display was one of the toughest decisions we’ve ever had to make as Council members,” said Mayor Matthew Robinson. “We know our residents enjoy watching a spectacular fireworks display. But as elected officials, we had to do what was best to control our City’s deficit spending and yet maintain the high quality of municipal services our residents come to expect from their local government.”
In order to restore services such as the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, Hazelwood City Council members have decided to place two tax referendum proposals on the August 5th ballot. This will give residents the chance to decide whether or not they want their services cut beyond current levels.
Proposition U is the restoration of a 7 percent tax on utility use on residential properties (non-residential properties already pay this tax.) This will generate approximately $1.3 million in new revenue for the City. The word “restoration” is used because Hazelwood residents paid this tax before it was repealed in 1978. Hazelwood is the only known City in St. Louis County that does not currently collect this tax on residential property. The estimated cost would be $3 a week. If this proposal passes, the City Council plans to offer a rebate program to senior citizens, age 62 and older.
The City Council on June 18 approved a measure that allows those over age 62 and those who are classified as disabled by the Social Security Administration to apply for an annual utility tax rebate—contingent on upon passage of the 7 percent city tax to most residential utility bills.
Proposition S is a one-fourth cent sales tax increase to be used for emergency services such as fire protection and medical emergencies. This will generate approximately $1.1 million in new revenue. These funds must be used for emergency services only. More importantly, this revenue is not subject to sharing in the St. Louis County sales tax pool. All the funds would stay in Hazelwood where it’s needed. Because Hazelwood is a sales tax hub, much of this revenue will be imported from people who shop, but don’t live, in Hazelwood.
“If Hazelwood residents approve both tax referendums, then there’s a good chance we can diminish our deficit problem and return to the days of budget surpluses. And, we would be able to resume many of our City services, such as the Fourth of July fireworks display, for the following year,” said Hazelwood City Manager Matthew Zimmerman.
