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Tues. Propositions, Tax Hikes Winner and Losers
50-Cent Levy Approved in FF School District;
One Hazelwood Proposition Wins, 1 Loses
North County voters approved tax hikes for schools in Ferguson-Florissant, for emergency services in Hazelwood and a bond issue in the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District for fire fighting equipment and apparatus. However, tax hikes of 40-cents per $100 assessed valuation for the FVFPD was defeated as was a 7 percent tax on utility use in the City of Hazelwood.
In the County Executive race for the Democratic candidate, Steve Stenger attracted many union voters in North County, that previously had gone to current County Executive Charlie Dooley who was beaten by Stenger by an almost two-to-one majority. Stenger will face GOP winner Rick Steam in the November General Election.
Ferguson-Florissant School District residents approved Proposition S by a vote of 6,059 to 5,210 in unofficial returns. Prop S is an overall tax rate increase of 50 cents per $100 of property’s assessed value that will be used to maintain and protect programs, services and staffing in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.
The district serves more than 11,000 students from the communities of Florissant, Ferguson, Berkeley and several other North County municipalities.
In the City of Hazelwood, one proposition S won by a thousand votes, while the Prop 6 lost by less than 500 votes.
Proposition U would have restore 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. If the proposition had been 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.
In the Florissant Fire Protection District, voters approved a $7.1 million bond issue by more than 3,000 votes for the purpose of purchasing real estate, constructing, equipping and maintaining fire stations and purchase ambulance and fire protection equipment. However, an up to 40-cent tax levy to support the district failed by nearly 2,000 votes.
In a special election for the County Council seat to fill an unexpired term, Democrat Sam Page defeated Robert Saettele, a Bridgeton councilman. Incumbent County Councilwomen Hazel Erby won the Democratic nomination over two challengers. The Republican had no candidate for District 2 council seat.
