PROPOSITION F Further Explained

​

To be placed on April 7, 2026 general municipal election ballot.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Prop F

Shall the Valley Park Fire Protection District impose a sales tax of one percent for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the Valley Park Fire Protection District and the total property tax levy on properties in the Valley Park Fire Protection District, shall be reduced annually by an amount which reduces property tax revenues by an amount equal to fifty percent of the previous year's revenue collected from this sales tax?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Reduce Property Taxes

​

*This Proposition will reduce property taxes by collecting sales tax instead. It will lessen the burden on property owners by ensuring that everyone who works in, shops in, or drives through our community contributes to public safety.

* Property owners will see their annual tax rate reduced based on the revenue generated by sales tax.

* If this measure does not pass, we will continue to operate with the funding mechanism that is currently in place. Property tax rates will not be affected, and we may periodically have to come back to the voters for property tax increases as state legislation reduces our operating tax rates.

*This sales tax will not apply to diapers, feminine hygiene products, fuel, utilities and similar product as they are exempt.  

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roll Back Taxes

 

Example: If the 1 percent sales tax generates $1,000,000. The district will roll back the equivalent to $500,000 in property taxes.  In Valley Park, this is estimated to be a 10 to 15 cent rollback.  This rollback would be calculated annually, and the tax rate change would apply the following year.  This is an adjusting scale and calculated annually.  If sales tax revenue increases, the property tax will continue to roll back.  If the sales tax drops, the property tax could increase.  This applies to both commercial and residential taxes. (Real estate and personal property)

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Usage/Replacement

 

This will partially replace property taxes.  Reducing annual tax rates.  The proceeds will be applied toward general maintenance of the district.  Maintaining staffing, equipment, communications, and generally increasing costs. 

______________________________________________________________________________

Who-Why

The State of Missouri has recently changed statutes to allow St. Louis County Fire Districts the authority to levy a sales tax.  This was prohibited until now, but allowed elsewhere in the state.  Several St. Louis County Fire Districts will be placing this on the April ballot.

​

Questions?  Call Chief Polk at 636-225-4288.