The City of Fayette will place the issue of adding a public sales tax before voters during the upcoming midterm election in November. If approved, the city sales tax would increase from one cent, to one-and-a-half cents starting April 1, 2023. 

It is estimated that the additional half-cent sales tax would generate up to $120,000 a year for the Fayette police and fire departments.

Placing the tax on the November ballot could cost the city between $5,000 and $10,000, regardless of whether or not it passes. Another option would place the tax on the ballot during the municipal and school board elections in April. But that would mean the tax would not go into effect until January 1, 2024, if passed. The voter turnout is also expected to be higher in November. 

The council gave unanimous approval to place the tax proposal on the November ballot. However, members must still approve an ordinance to put the measure on the ballot. The ordinance will be drawn up and is expected to be approved at the council’s next meeting on June 14.

The city council has discussed the proposed tax off and on for several years. The deadline to have it placed on the ballot for the August primary expired just before the board’s meeting. 

Fayette City Marshal David Ford said that once the council approves putting the tax on the ballot, he would help to form a committee that would promote the tax. As an elected official, he cannot actively promote the measure.