Members of the Boone County Joint Communications Task Force want to ask voters to approve a new sales tax on the November ballot.

The tax would pay for a bigger joint communications center with more staff and improved 911 services.

The new sales tax would replace existing taxes on Boone County landlines, the fire district’s property tax levy and Southern Boone County’s 911 Tax.

The proposal would likely call for a 1/4-cent-sales-tax increase as organizers iron out the details.

County officials said a sales tax increase would allow everyone in Boone County to pay for the emergency management upgrades.

Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey said, “Everybody that comes into our community would be helping for the service versus the elderly folks that never call 911, but they have a landline.  They are paying a tax for the service.  75% of the calls right now come in on cell phone.”

More than 50 Missouri counties have 911 sales taxes.

Supporters plan to give several educational presentations to various groups and organizations in Boone County between now and Election Day.