Merriam approved tax for infrastructure improvements
Original story by the Shawnee Mission Post
Merriam residents have approved the renewal of the quarter-cent sales tax, with nearly 80% of votes in favor of the renewal — the highest approval rate in the history of the city’s special sales tax votes.
Over the last two decades, the quarter-cent sales tax funded 22 projects across the city, and there are at least eight more projects scheduled to come. Completed improvements included the Farley Avenue reconstruction and the 54th Street drainage project.
The quarter-cent sales tax has funded Merriam infrastructure projects for the last 20 years, as the funds can only be used for street, bridge and drainage improvement projects. Unofficial results from the mail-in ballot election released by the Johnson County Election Office Tuesday show just over 2,000 residents voted for a total voter turnout of 28%. Four hundred voters cast ballots against renewing the tax.
“We’re encouraged to know Merriam voters entrust us to continue to put this special sales tax money to good use to provide the high level of service our residents deserve and expect from our city,” City Administrator Chris Engel said in a statement to the Shawnee Mission Post.