Proposition FIRE

On April 7, 2026, voters in the Wentzville Fire Protection District will consider Proposition FIRE, a new way to fund emergency services that will also provide residents with property tax relief. 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is Proposition FIRE?

Proposition FIRE is a new way to fund emergency services which will also provide residents with property tax relief. It creates a one percent sales tax dedicated to fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, allowing visitors and shoppers to help share the cost of the services they rely on. If approved, the District must reduce its property tax collections each year by 50 percent of the sales tax revenue generated in the previous year.

 

Why is the District proposing this funding approach now?

Emergency services are the backbone of a safe community. Whether it's a fire, a motor vehicle accident, or a medical emergency, we all count on trained professionals arriving quickly and ready to act. That only happens when fire stations are staffed appropriately and firefighter/paramedics have the training they need to do their job and stay safe doing it.

 

Proposition FIRE is designed to:

• Provide a new funding approach that uses sales tax to reduce property tax

• Protect the quality of our emergency services

• Keep firefighter/paramedics ready to respond

 

The goal is simple: when someone in our community calls 911, firefighters arrive quickly and ready to protect lives and property.

 

How does Proposition FIRE change the way emergency services are funded?

Proposition FIRE provides our residents with property tax relief by partially funding emergency services through a one percent sales tax. This is made possible by new Missouri legislation that went into effect in August 2025. Until now, fire protection districts in St. Charles County could only receive tax funding from local property taxes.

 

What would sales tax funding be used for?

In addition to reducing the property tax burden on residents, sales tax revenue would maintain the quality of emergency services in our community and protect the investment that has already been made in fire service in our district.

 

How does this proposal help keep WFPD ready to respond?

Maintaining fast response times means fire stations are staffed appropriately and firefighter/paramedics have the training they need to do their job and stay safe doing it. Proposition FIRE provides a funding structure designed to help maintain readiness as the community grows and call volume increases.

 

FUNDING & FINANCES

 

How are property taxes reduced under this plan?

Missouri law requires the District to reduce property tax collections annually by 50 percent of the sales tax revenue collected in the prior year. The District must collect a full year of sales tax revenue before calculating the first reduction. After that, property tax rates adjust each year based on actual collections. The reduction is required by law and occurs automatically once revenue is known.

 

How much will residents’ property taxes decrease if Proposition FIRE is approved?

 

If Proposition FIRE is approved, Missouri law requires the district to reduce its property tax collections by an amount equal to half of the sales tax revenue. The exact decrease for an individual property owner will depend on the total sales tax revenue collected districtwide and the assessed value of their property. Because sales totals and property values can change, the exact dollar amount will vary. However, the required structure is clear. Half of all sales tax revenue must be used to reduce property tax collections.

 

How does this plan make funding for emergency services more balanced?

Property taxes currently place the primary responsibility for funding emergency services on property owners. This plan creates balance by including those who shop, work, and travel within the district in contributing to emergency services. It shares responsibility while maintaining the level of protection residents expect.

 

How does the required property tax reduction work over time?

The property tax reduction is written into Missouri law. Each year, the District must lower property tax collections by an amount equal to half of the previous year’s sales tax revenue. After the first full year of sales tax collection, the rate adjusts annually based on actual revenue. 

 

How does this plan help the district handle economic changes?

The District uses long-term budgeting and maintains reserves to help manage changes in revenue. If sales tax collections fluctuate, property tax rates may adjust within legal limits to maintain emergency response capabilities. In stronger economic years, property tax reductions may increase. This flexibility helps maintain readiness in changing economic conditions.

 

Do other fire districts use sales tax revenue?

Missouri first authorized some fire and ambulance districts to propose a sales tax in 2002. Since then, districts across the state have adopted this funding approach. Recent updates to state law expanded eligibility, allowing districts in St. Charles County to place this type of proposal before voters. Proposition FIRE reflects that updated state authority and allows local voters to decide whether this funding structure makes sense for our community.

 

How does the sales tax work?

If approved, one cent would be added to every dollar spent on taxable retail purchases within the Wentzville Fire Protection District.

 

For example:

• A $10 purchase would include a dime in sales tax.

• A $100 purchase would include $1.

 

By law, after the first full year of sales tax collection, the District must reduce property tax collections by an amount equal to half of the sales tax revenue collected the previous year. That adjustment happens annually based on actual revenue.

 

What purchases would the sales tax apply to?

The sales tax would apply to retail purchases subject to Missouri sales tax law.

 

Who contributes through the sales tax?

Anyone who makes a taxable retail purchase within the district contributes.

That includes:

• Residents

• Visitors

• Commuters

• Shoppers passing through

 

This approach broadens the revenue base so that those who use WFPD services would help provide funding.

 

ELECTION INFORMATION

 

When is the election?

Election Day is Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Who is eligible to vote?

All registered voters residing within the Wentzville Fire Protection District are eligible to vote.

 

When does absentee voting begin?

Absentee voting begins February 24 at the St. Charles County Election Authority office. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

How can I vote no-excuse absentee?

No-Excuse Absentee Voting begins March 24. The Election Authority office will be open for No-Excuse Absentee Voting on:

April 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

April 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Where can I find information about where or how to vote?

For polling locations, voter registration information, absentee voting details, and other election information, visit the St. Charles County Election Authority website.

 

How will the question appear on the ballot?

Shall the Wentzville Fire Protection District impose a sales tax of one percent for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the Wentzville Fire Protection District and the total property tax levy on properties in the Wentzville Fire Protection District shall be reduced annually by an amount which reduces property tax revenues by an amount equal to fifty percent of the previous year’s revenue collected from this sales tax?