Cape Police Department moving forward after ‘No’ vote on property tax Increase

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Cape Girardeau Police Chief Wes Blair says his department is moving forward after voters said no to a property tax increase that would have given police and fire fighters a raise of at least 8%.

Voters narrowly said no by a measure of less than 200 votes.

If passed, the increase would have generated $2 million annually to benefit public safety employees, police and firefighters.

Since the vote failed, they will see the same cost of living raise as other city employees but that has yet to be determined. It should be finalized when they assess the budget again in June.

Chief Blair says the department wants to thank the community for support. Now they are focused on moving forward with the same unwavering commitment to serve and protect the citizens of cape.

“We are very thankful for this community and we don’t view the ‘no’ vote to higher taxes as an indictment on public safety whatsoever,” said Chief Blair. “We understand that it’s tough for everybody right now and we understand that home budgets are tight and so we understand that no everybody can afford to do something like that we don’t for a second think that our community does not support us we know we have support for our community.”