Capital Improvements Sales Tax

Informational graphic titled “Capital Improvements” explaining the City of Cape Girardeau’s capital improvements sales tax renewal, outlining public needs and assets, past voter-approved taxes, and proposed uses from 2020 to 2034 such as water system upgrades, airport improvements, preserving the Common Pleas Courthouse, and improving city streets.

On April 5, 2011, Cape Girardeau voters approved the renewal of one of two ¼-cent capital improvement sales taxes (CIST) thru Dec. 2037 to replace the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Find more information on that facility at cityofcape.org/wastewater.

On Aug. 6, 2019, voters renewed the other ¼-cent CIST for 15 years for infrastructure improvement and maintenance as described below. 

The total City sales tax rate is 2.75%. Most taxes sunset and are subject to voter renewal. Read more about how they fund public safety, parks and streets at cityofcape.org/taxes.

About Capital Improvement Sales Taxes (CIST)

In the 1990s, voters approved the first two ¼-cent “Capital Improvement Sales Taxes” (CIST). They provided the following improvements:

  • Water treatment plant renovation and system improvements.
  • Transitioning Cape from Mississippi River water to well water.
  • New Wastewater Treatment Plant on flood-free higher ground.
  • Eliminated combined sewer and stormwater pipes
  • Various other sewer improvements.
Ballot question from the City of Cape Girardeau asking voters whether to extend the existing one-quarter percent capital improvements sales tax through December 31, 2034, to fund water system projects, airport improvements, street repairs, city facilities, and other approved capital projects, with Yes and No voting options shown.

More About Each Proposed Project

Resilient Water System
Business-Ready Airport
Common Pleas City Hall
Accelerate Street Repair

Learn more about these public assets and locations

Historic Common Pleas
About Water
Graphic explaining the one-quarter-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, stating that the tax rate stays the same and listing funded uses including preserving City Hall, improving the airport, fixing streets faster, and maintaining the water system, with a callout to vote on August 6, 2019.

Thank you to our corporate sponsors!