By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
WaKeeney voters rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax increase, with 328 voting in favor and 512 opposed.
The increase would have raised the city’s sales tax rate from 8.5% to 9%. Irene Dirks, WaKeeney mayor, estimated the tax could have generated about $220,000 per year, a figure she described as a low estimate.
“I am disappointed,” Dirks said, “but I hope in future years we might try it again.”
The revenue would have applied to taxable sales within city limits. Dirks estimated at least 25% of the money would have come from visitor traffic off Interstate 70.
The city planned to use the funds for multiple community improvements and as matching money for state and federal grants.
Potential projects included a walking route connecting Barclay Street, Main Street, the grade school and the park, along with improvements to the community pool, golf course and speedway.
Dirks said the tax would not have been dedicated to one project. The city planned to create a board to recommend how the money would have been spent.
“You live and learn,” Dirks said. “I think this is a worthy cause and I hope … I just hope a future council decides to try it again one day.”