By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho is advancing plans for the creation of a 567-acre transportation development district.
Those plans calls for an additional half-cent sales tax to be assessed over the next 20 years on commercial retail sales within the proposed district. The district would include the areas around Missouri Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 60 stretching west to Kodiak Road, north to Waldo Hatler Memorial Drive and south to Industrial Drive.
Businesses inside the proposed district include the Lowe’s store and the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The territory also would include 220 acres owned by the city of Neosho, primarily consisting of the Municipal Golf Course, and the Neosho Middle School.
If the plan is implemented, revenue from the half-cent sales tax would be used to finance road improvements within that area. The life span of the proposed district is 20 years, with the tax forecast to generate about $10 million over that time, according to city officials.
Currently, the combined state, county and city sales-tax rate in the district is 7.6 cents per $1. If the plan is approved, the sales tax in the district would go to 8.1 cents.
The city of Neosho has petitioned Newton County Circuit Court for the creation of the district. Once in place, it would have its own governing board and would become a separate public entity, said City Manager Jan Blase.
“It became apparent that circulation needed to be improved in the area,” Blase said of the roads in the commercial district. He said the plan is to improve safety and decrease traffic congestion.
The city’s petition outlines about $6.8 million in projects in the designated area, including the extension of Hale McGinty Drive south from the middle school to Highway 60. Intersection work would be done at Waldo Hatler Memorial Drive and Kodiak Road, consisting of the installation of traffic signals and left-turn lanes. Laramie Lane would be extended north so that it crosses over Highway 60.
Blase said the golf course and the school district were included in the proposed TDD because both would benefit from road improvements.
School officials have said they support the creation of the district, which would help with traffic flow and ease congestion around the middle school.
The city’s petition is before Circuit Judge Tim Perigo. If Perigo certifies the petition, property owners within the proposed district would vote via mail-in ballot on whether to authorize its creation. A simple majority is required for passage.
TDD board
If implemented, the proposed transportation development district in Neosho would have a five-member board of directors.
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