Prop Sales Tax
Proposition Sales Tax is a measure on the April 7, 2026 ballot to create a 1% sales tax that will support fire services. If approved, this would provide funding for the District's operations and reduce property taxes by half of the amount received from sales tax revenues.
FAQ:
What is Proposition S?
Proposition S is a new way to fund emergency services which will also provide residents with property tax relief. It creates a one percent sales tax dedicated to fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, allowing visitors and shoppers to help share the cost of the services they rely on. If approved, the District must reduce its property tax collections each year by 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated in the previous year.
Why is the District proposing this funding approach now?
​When someone calls 911 for a fire, car accident, or medical emergency, they need trained firefighters to arrive quickly and ready to respond. That depends on proper staffing, ongoing training, and safe working conditions for emergency personnel.
Proposition S is designed to:
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Use a sales tax approach to help reduce property tax
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Protect the quality of fire and emergency medical services
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Keep firefighters trained, staffed, and ready to respond
The goal is simple: when an emergency happens, our community can count on fast, professional emergency response to help protect lives and property.
How would Proposition S affect the funding of emergency services?
Proposition S would provide property tax relief for residents by helping fund emergency services through a one percent sales tax. This option is now available because of new Missouri legislation that took effect in August 2025.
How are property taxes reduced under this plan?
Missouri law requires the reduction under Section 321.552, RSMo. If the sales tax is approved by voters, the District must reduce property tax revenues each year by an amount equal to 50% of the sales tax collected in the previous year.
How much property tax relief could residents receive if Proposition S is approved?
If Proposition S is approved, the district must use half of the sales tax revenue to reduce property taxes. The exact savings for each property owner will vary depending on how much sales tax is collected and the value of their property. Since those numbers can change each year, the exact amount of tax relief will vary too.
How does this proposal spread the cost of emergency services more fairly?
Right now, property owners carry most of the cost of funding emergency services through property taxes. This plan creates a more balanced approach by also using sales tax revenue from people who shop, work, and travel in the district. That helps share the cost while continuing to support the level of emergency protection residents expect.
How does the required property tax reduction work over time?
The property tax reduction is required by Missouri law. Each year, the District must reduce property tax collections by an amount equal to 50% of the sales tax collected the year before. After the first full year of sales tax collections, the property tax rate will be adjusted each year based on the actual amount collected.
Who contributes through the sales tax?
Anyone who makes a taxable retail purchase within the district contributes.
That includes:
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Residents
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Visitors
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Commuters
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Shoppers passing through
This approach broadens the revenue base so that those who use WCFPD services would help provide funding.
How would the sales tax work?
If approved, the sales tax would add 1 cent for every $1 spent on taxable purchases in the Wright City Fire Protection District.
For example:
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A $10 purchase would add 10 cents
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A $100 purchase would add $1
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After the first full year of collections, Missouri law requires the District to use half of the sales tax revenue to reduce property tax collections. That adjustment would be made each year based on the amount collected.