Platte County Commissioners this week approved an about $50,000 expenditure to an outside firm to educate voters about the upcoming reduced Platte County Roads Tax on the November election ballot.
The county itself is barred by state law from advocating for its own tax, but educational efforts are permitted.
Officials also announced former commissioner Duane Soper would head up a campaign to urge voters to vote yes to renew the tax, which has funded road improvements and bridge replacements across Platte County for the past 20 years.
At the Monday, Sept. 19 commission administrative session, commissioners approved a contract with Clout Public Affairs for Roads Sales Tax issue education. The contract total is $49,994, to be paid from the public works fund.
Commissioners noted the contract was for educational purposes and not tied to a campaign committee.
Just after the approval, district commissioner Joe Vanover issued a press release announcing Soper would lead the effort to approve the sales tax as treasurer. Vanover will serve as campaign vice treasurer.
“Platte County has had this sales tax for nearly 20 years,” Vanover said. “We’ve replaced dangerous bridges, transformed old country highways into modern thoroughfares, and maintained streets. We are the fastest growing county in the region. We need to keep pace with that growth.”
The campaign committee will not receive funding from governmental bodies and will operate separately from the educational effort approved by commissioners. The campaign committee plans to raise funds from private individuals and companies. The committee is registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Platte County voters will have the opportunity to renew the reduced tax on Tuesday, Nov. 8.