Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson has rejected the placement of a proposed one-eighth-cent sales tax on April’s municipal ballot.

Dawson released a prepared statement at the end of Tuesday night’s city council meeting, after the council voted 5-3 to put forward the proposal that supporters say would fund road improvements, including a replacement span for the Washington Street Bridge. Dawson tells KMMO News that now’s the wrong time to pursue a new sales tax proposal.

Dawson added that supporters of the new tax need to have a more concrete plan in place, and that the city pursue alternate funding sources before asking voters to weigh in.

The sales tax was proposed at the last Sedalia City Council meeting by Fourth Ward Aldermen Steve Bloess, who said discussions with the Pettis County Commission on their proposed renewal of the county’s half-cent road and bridge tax were not proving beneficial for the city. Dawson agreed with Bloess’ criticisms of the commission, but said an additional tax measure wasn’t the answer.

Dawson said he could not support the renewal unless the five-year sunset was reinstated, calling the regular renewals a way for voters to hold government accountable.

The Sedalia City Council can attempt to override Dawson’s veto at a special session tentatively scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27. One of the three council members who opposed the measure would need to change their vote to a yes in order for an override to take effect.