Joplin city officials explain what ballot proposition would mean for police, fire departments

(In this post from the Joplin City Government Facebook page, the effects of the Proposition B Pension Sales Tax, depending on the vote, are explained.) 

Public Safety Staffing & Compensation

Proposition Police & Fire includes funding for:

A 23% pay increase for Police Officers and Firefighters.

Why?

Currently, starting pay in Joplin is below the starting pay in comparable regional cities such as Springfield, Bentonville, and Jefferson City.

If the measure is approved, the new starting pay would still remain below the average starting pay of our benchmark cities.

The spending plan would allocate:

- Approximately $2 million for police personnel pay scale adjustments
- Approximately $2 million for fire personnel pay scale adjustments
- Guaranteed in negotiated union contracts

Prop Police & Fire also includes funding for:

Additional staffing needed according to staffing studies, to keep up with calls for service and reduce response times.
- Up to 9 police officers
- Up to 6 firefighters

If the measure is not approved:

The existing Prop B Pension Sales Tax will expire once pension obligations are fulfilled, and that revenue stream will end.

Expiration of the current tax would leave no dedicated funding for competitive pay or additional public safety personnel. It will also reduce the City’s ability to fund capital improvements for facilities, vehicles and equipment for Police and Fire.

As always, voters are encouraged to review the full ballot language and FAQs before Election Day.

More information: https://www.joplinmo.org/1266/PropPoliceFire