Truesdale officials are considering asking voters to approve a 0.5 percent sales tax increase in the city to help pay for an additional full-time police officer.

That increase is projected to bring in an additional $60,000 to $90,000, based on the 0.5 percent transportation sales tax previously passed. City Clerk Elsa Smith-Fernandez told aldermen during the Dec. 13 meeting.

Currently, the sales tax in Truesdale is 8.725 percent, Smith-Fernandez said. That includes both the state and county tax.

That is currently less than the total sales tax in both Warrenton and Wright City. 

Truesdale’s sales tax would remain less than its two neighboring cities with the potential increase.

Police Chief Casey Doyle said the potential increase would help retain current officers as well as provide money for a new officer.

“It’s a big deal for a small town,” he said. “I know for a lot of places that doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but that kind of money for a department like this is huge. And as we add more homes here, we’re going to need the additional help.”

Board of Alderman President Mike Thomas said residents have told him they would support a tax increase if it meant adding to the city’s police department.

“I’ve talked to some citizens that are to the point where they will support just about everything and anything to see our law enforcement grow in this community,” he told the other aldermen. “They want to see the police continue to be supported.”

Mayor Jerry Cannon said he believed that, based on previous situations, residents would support a small tax increase in April.

“It has been the track record with this community that when you tell them the purpose and they can envision that purpose, they get behind it,” he said. “The proof will be in the pudding when we have another officer.”

The city will consider an ordinance placing the issue on the April 2024 ballot during its Jan. 10 board of aldermen meeting.