Miami County Commissioners are looking for voters to renew a quarter cent sales tax in the November general election to continue funding road and bridge improvements throughout the county. The five year tax would take effect January 1, 2026, upon the expiration of the current quarter-cent sales tax. The quarter-cent sales tax was first approved by voters nearly 25 years ago and the five year tax has been renewed by voters multiple times.
During the past 24 years, the sales tax has generated about $24 million and it has allowed the county to acquire an additional $23 million in grant money to help complete projects totaling close to $50 million. One of the most recent examples is the rehabilitation of Old Kansas City Road, from just south of Paola to U. S. Highway 169.
During each five year cycle of the quarter-cent sales tax, the cities of Paola, Osawatomie, Spring Hill and Louisburg have all received $500,000 for road and bridge improvement projects. Osawatomie City Manager, Bret Glendening, said the city’s portion has previously helped Osawatomie re-deck an overpass, improve Main Street from First to 12th Streets and improve Sixth Street, which is an ongoing project.
