Monday night, we got our first public update in a year from Joplin’sImplementation Committee of Proposition Action. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
Joplin voters passed the 3.125% internet purchase sales tax by fewer than 100 votes in November of 2021. At the time, city officials estimated that the new tax would create 3.5 million dollars of new revenue.
According to Monday’s presentation at the Joplin City Council meeting, those estimates were exceeded. From January to November of 2022, the city collected 3.8 million dollars. Addressing declining neighborhoods is a concern that residents want to be addressed if Proposition Action passed. With the proceeds from the tax Joplin is constructing five new homes and assisting residents in purchasing them.
Councilmember Phil Stinnett shared his concerns about the project Monday.
“And most of those, the initial five, are in middle to low-income areas, quite frankly. Interesting thing will be to see is where they get priced at and sell at. I really do not expect a $250,000 home in the neighborhood of a $125,000 home.”
In April, the city aims to expand the program from five homes to fifteen. Also, this year the Proposition Action Committee will update the city council on their work quarterly instead of annually. For 89 9 KRPS News, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro
