The City of Fayette will likely try again to pass a public safety tax that will be used to augment the budgets of the Fayette police and fire departments. If approved by the city council, the measure will go before voters on the April 4 ballot.

The tax was rejected by just eight votes during the most recent general election on November 8.

“I think the message didn’t get out correctly as to what the money was going to go for,” said Southwest Ward Alderwoman Bekki Galloway. “I think if we want it to go through, then we need to make that part of our Walk Our Wards program so that we can help out with that. I think we need to make a commitment there.”

Fayette City Marshal David Ford said he thinks the half-cent sales tax would be a benefit to the city.

The tax is anticipated to  generate between $115,000 and $150,000 annually if approved. Monies would be used to bolster the budgets for both departments. Chief Ford said he would like to have an officer dedicated to the Fayette school district, and the fire department is in need of a new pumper truck, estimated to cost around $400,000.

“There’s a lot we could do with that money that we can’t do at this point,” Ford said.

However, the city had not formally outlined how the tax money would be divided up between the two departments prior to the November election. Southwest Ward Alderman Grafton Cook said he wants to see a plan for how revenues would be allotted and used before the council approves the ballot measure. “We really don’t know what our budget is going to be doing for the police department, as we have hired two more officers.”

He also wants the council to vote on whether or not to again seek the new tax when all members are present. Only four of the six alderpersons attended Tuesday’s meeting. Northwest Ward Alderwoman Peggy O’Connell and East Ward Alderman Joe Parisi were absent.

“In any event, instead of making a decision with only four of us here, I think it would be prudent to put a plan together,” said Alderman Cook. “If we have more time to do that, and bring the community in on it, that would be my take.

“With the utility rates going up, I just think…it’s going to be a challenge to justify asking for these sorts of things. I think there has to be a good plan in place that everyone is committed to before we make a decision,” Cook said.

Two people present at Tuesday’s meeting spoke up against and in favor of the proposed tax. Jeff Parks, the owner of a liquor store downtown, reiterated his opposition to the tax, saying it will make taxes too high. He told the council that he would choose to lower his prices if a new tax was approved in order to keep his out-the-door prices competitive.

Fayette citizen David Freese said he is in favor of the tax, and voted for it the first time around. “We see the importance of our police, and them having what they need and being able to pay them what they deserve so that we’re not constantly losing officers to other departments,” he said. “And the need for good equipment for our firemen so that they’re safe when they’re protecting the people of this city.”

Freese said the word did not get out properly prior to the November election and urged the city to put it on the April 4 ballot. He said he would be willing to help spread the word in favor of the tax. 

The city has until January 25 to submit the measure with ballot language to the Howard County Clerk for inclusion on the April 4 ballot. The council meets three more times before that deadline, on Tuesdays, December 27, and January 10 and 24. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall. They are open and the public is invited.