PARSONS — In Tuesday’s election, Parsons voters weighed against a half-cent sales tax increase that would have helped fund the Parsons police and fire departments.
The vote was 881 in favor and 1,333 against.
The increase would have raised the sales tax from 9.25% to 9.75% and generated an estimated $900,000 a year.
Department heads said the funds would be used for a new public safety center as well as routine public services and capital improvements.
In 2013, voters approved a similar tax which sunsets in 10 years. The new tax would have taken effect in 2024.
