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Hazelwood and Employee Associations Host ‘See Our Services’ Event July 19
Last of Public Meetings on Propositions July 26
Employees of the City of Hazelwood are inviting local residents to a special community event called “See Our Services” on Saturday, July 19, at Howdershell Park, 6810 Howdershell Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The employees will be showing some of the equipment they use to provide first-class municipal services and sharing with residents what it takes to maintain the quality of these services on a daily basis.
This event is being sponsored by the City of Hazelwood in cooperation with the following employee associations: International Association of Firefighters Local 2665; Laborers’ Local 42 Law Enforcement Division; and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 148. Admission is free and open to the public. Fun activities are planned for people of all ages.
Vehicles such as fire trucks, police cars, and public works machinery and equipment will be on display for residents to see up-close. Hazelwood Police Department’s K-9 unit will be putting on demonstrations as well. To keep the kids entertained, there will be a bounce house and a dunking booth. In addition, free hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and beverages will be served.
The City of Hazelwood is known for its high quality of municipal services that maintain public safety, provide fire and emergency medical services, and keep the roads and parks in good condition. City revenues haven’t kept pace with the cost of these services, thus the city is seeking operating revenue sources to maintain these services.
The City Council has addressed this challenge by placing Propositions U & S on the Aug. 5th ballot. The City of Hazelwood is hosting three community informational meetings on Propositions U & S for local residents. Two of those meetings were held earlier this week. The third meeting will be held Saturday, July 26 at 9 a.m. at the Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson Road, 9 a.m.
Similar to many cities in St. Louis County and throughout the country, the recent recession has been difficult for the City of Hazelwood. Assessed property valuations are down and the cty’s sales tax revenues show no significant gains. Consumer spending has only gone up 2% a year since 2009, compared with 3% a year before the recession, city officials stated
Proposition U is a restoration of a 7% tax on utility use on residential properties. Hazelwood is the only known City in St. Louis County that does not currently collect this tax on residential property. For the average Hazelwood resident, this tax would cost about $3 a week – less than the cost of a happy meal. If the proposition is approved, this utility tax will be rebated to senior citizens age 62 and older.
Proposition S is a quarter-cent sales tax increase to maintain emergency services such as fire protection and emergency medical response.
Information about these proposals will be handed out at the event. Residents are encouraged to come and learn about them, as well as meet the City employees. (this story provided by the City of Hazelwood)
