Second ward councilman Jim Papreck (right) visits with third ward councilman Dan Brandt and former mayor Dewey Hendrix prior to the public forum Feb. 19 on Marshall’s proposed transportation sales tax. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

About a dozen people spent an hour Thursday, Feb. 19 asking questions and receiving information from Marshall city council members detailing the city’s reasons for seeking voter approval of a half-cent sales tax for street improvements this April.

At the first of two public forums hosted by the City of Marshall, Municipal Services Committee members Dan Brandt and Drew Green took turns explaining what led to the council’s decision to place the proposed tax on the April 7 ballot. If passed, Brandt and Green say the tax could generate about $1 million in revenue per year for the three years it’s on the books before voters are asked to renew it, with the funds required by law to be used on street and sidewalk improvements. Former mayor Dewey Hendrix was among the residents in attendance and says he’s glad the council finally put the measure forward.

Brandt noted that if passed, the sales tax would be paid by anyone who shops in Marshall, particularly those using city streets to reach the city’s businesses. Hendrix expressed agreement with Brandt’s reasoning.

Questions asked by the audience included whether a higher sales tax might cause people to go to nearby communities instead of Marshall to shop, and how soon the city would be able to utilize any funds collected. City administrator JD Kehrman and communications director Anmarie Gibson also presented information at the forum, including the most recent version of the city’s three-year plan of streets that would receive improvements if voters pass the measure. Click here to view the list on the City of Marshall’s website.

A second information forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at the Marshall City Office.

First ward councilman Drew Green (left) and city administrator JD Kehrman (photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)