KIRKWOOD, Mo. – Voters could possibly decide on a half-cent sales tax increase in Kirkwood later this year for the creation of a transportation development district.

The Kirkwood City Council recently approved a resolution in support of a TDD. The Missouri Transportation Development District Act allows cities to form a TDD for funding, promoting, planning, designing, constructing, improving, maintaining, and operating transportation-related projects.

A petition making the rounds as the “City Transportation Project” outlines the Kirkwood City Council’s goals. With enough support, the petition could lead to a ballot measure this November on the future of a TDD and funding it.

A current proposal calls for a one-half of one percent (.50%) sales tax to be collected for the next 15 years. It intends to raise money for resurfacing streets and sidewalks, in addition to various construction projects.

The proposal would “provide a dedicated source of revenue of about $2.8 million per year for the transportation needs of the City of Kirkwood,” according to a news release from the City of Kirkwood.

“Approval of the TDD will bring much-needed additional funds that will be used for the improvement of public streets, sidewalks, and transportation-related infrastructure throughout the city for the next 15 years,” said Kirkwood Mayor Tim Griffin. “This is a sales tax, not a property tax, and will be paid by all shoppers in Kirkwood not just by Kirkwood residents.”

The city says a potential ballot question would seek support of a TTD, development of a proposed transportation project, and the levying of the sales tax.

The City of Kirkwood says a proposed TDD would be governed by a board of directors, and exist as an independent political subdivision separate from the city and the Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District

For more information on TDDs within Missouri, click here.