A sparse crowd attended the Thursday, March 5 forum hosted by the City of Marshall, the second that focused on the proposed half-cent transportation sales tax that the city’s voters will consider on next month’s municipal election ballot.

If approved by voters, city officials expect the half-cent sales tax to generate up to $1 million per year for the next three years, with the funds earmarked by law for use on the city’s streets, sidewalks, and other transportation improvements. First Ward Councilman Drew Green led Thursday night’s forum, and has already presented to several civic groups in the city about the proposed tax. He says one of the issues that voters have brought up to him is making sure the funds are spent properly and efficiently.

Another concern raised by attendees is making sure streets that are improved aren’t torn up months later to allow for underground improvements by Marshall Municipal Utilities. Green says Municipal Services director Randy Cornine and his crews are coordinating with MMU to ensure that the two agencies’ schedules are aligned.

This year, the city has already budgeted over $300,000 worth of slurry sealing, which will provide preventative maintenance to four miles of city roadways. Green says if voters approve the tax, the added revenue will allow for additional work beginning as early as this summer, including mill and overlay projects that currently average about $300,000 per mile. The City of Marshall has information on the proposed tax on their website.

Voters will go to the polls April 7 to decide the measure. Absentee voting is underway in the Saline County Clerk’s Office, with the no-excuse absentee period beginning March 24.