A majority of Wright City voters expressed their faith last Tuesday in plans to boost the civic budget and local infrastructure.

A total of 58 percent of those casting ballots in the April 4 election gave Wright City officials permission to increase the sales tax by one percent.

City Administrator Jim Schuchmann said the proposal was necessary to help Wright City with shoring up its financial picture. He said city leaders are thrilled by the outcome.

“For several years, we’ve been deficit spending,” Schuchmann said. “We realized we had to correct that....It’ll make a significant dent....”

It’s been city officials’ hope that more retail activity will arrive, to supply new revenues to pay for roads and stormwater projects.

“We have needs,” said Schuchmann. “It (retail influx) just hasn’t happened as of yet.”

Asking for a sales tax hike from the voters was chosen as the best solution.

“We’re able to share that burden,” stated Schuchmann of that approach, with Wright City visitors and residents both contributing to the public revenue.

It’s believed the new tax rate will take effect July 1. The state of Missouri will supply all of the required changes to local retailers in time for a start of collections in the third quarter of 2023.

The ballot language allows for spending half of the new proceeds on Wright City capital improvements. It’s thought that generation of activity will translate into additional consumer spending in town.

Wright City’s total tax rate of 9.475 percent will be comparable with those found in area communities, according to Schuchmann.

“We want to invest in the city,” he said. “The voters agree....We really appreciate their support.”

Some of the infrastructure projects will be tackled this year, based on available revenue, he added, with others going on board in the years ahead.

The new American Foods Group beef processing plant being built nearby will also have a positive impact on Wright City’s future tax revenues, Schuchmann said.