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The Jefferson City council Monday night heard a presentation on a plan to fund improvements to the fire department.  The new plan, which could be placed on the August ballot, lowers property taxes by 17%.  Instead, funding for the fire department would come from a one-fourth cent sales tax.

Jefferson City Fire Department officials say the new plan will continue to fund programs already in place, and allow for more work to be done.  "What it'll do is continue to support the retirement program that is covered under the property tax which is the $.09. which is 17% of the property tax,” says Jefferson City Fire Department spokesman Jason Turner.  “And it will also help fund the apparatus replacement program, fire station renovations and development, and communications and technology." 

The council likely will vote at its next meeting on whether to put this issue on the August ballot.