City to put sales tax on ballot

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — The Newkirk city commission met for their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening, Jan. 24 and voted to pass the language for a proposed sales tax increase and place it on the ballot for voters to decide in April.

The city passed a proposal for a 1 percent sales tax increase, which will be placed on top of existing sales taxes, and voters will decide at the April 5 Special Election. The Special Election will also feature a seat on the Newkirk Public Schools Board of Education.

The funds raised will help address all infrastructure issues, including water, electricity and sewage, City Manager Ryan Smykil said.

The sales tax will be applied to every taxable purchase in the community.

“You go to the grocery store, the gas station, and the 1 percent sales tax will be added to those purchases,” Smykil said. “In this way, it will be paid for by anyone that comes through town.”

For more information, contact the city of Newkirk, at (580) 362-2117.