Story Published:
Nov 4, 2009 at 7:43 AM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 4, 2009 at 10:16 AM CST
SPRINGFIELD -- The second time was the charm for a sales tax vote to bolster the police officers and firefighters pension fund; about 13,000 voters approved the 3/4-percent proposal compared to 10,800 voters who said no.
The tax will begin being collected in April but the city likely won't receive the first revenue until June. The addition of $28 million in revenue will let the city to reduce its contributions from general revenue to 35 percent of Tier I police and fire salaries in the next fiscal year, compared to 52 percent this year.
The police and fire departments plan to have new employees interviewed and ready to begin training when the new budget year starts next July 1.
