The St. Louis County Council is moving forward with a plan to put a sales tax initiative on the April ballot that would improve county parks, trails and the Arch grounds.
Council Chairman Michael O’Mara introduced a bill at this afternoon's council meeting that would authorize the ballot initiative and says he plans to campaign on its behalf.
“When you talk to people around the country they recognize the Arch, and that’s very significant to us as county residents that when you see St. Louis nationwide that they recognize (the arch) as a good focal point and as a tourist attraction,” O’Mara says.
If approved by voters it would raise sales taxes 3/16 of one cent and generate close to $38 million a year over the next two decades.
County Executive Charlie Dooley says the most important component of the tax is that it’s an investment in the region.
“The Arch grounds, that’s the front of our community, and if we can improve that I think it’s good for everybody,” Dooley says.
Follow Tim Lloyd on Twitter: @TimSLloyd
