© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ferguson city manager says failed tax vote won't affect DOJ agreement

Wikimedia Commons / Loavesofbread

FERGUSON - Ferguson's city manager says failure of a property tax increase should have no "major effects" on the city's agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice or efforts to adopt community policing in the St. Louis suburb where Michael Brown was fatally shot by an officer.

Ferguson voters on Tuesday approved a sales tax increase but rejected a property tax hike proposal.

The taxes were meant to reduce a $2.9 million deficit and help fund changes mandated in the Justice Department agreement aimed at improving Ferguson's criminal justice system. The deal is estimated to cost $2.3 million over three years.

Immediately after the vote, Mayor James Knowles III said the impact was unclear. City Manager De'Carlon Seewood now says he's optimistic the Justice Department agreement will be largely unscathed.