Voter Guide

Simple majority required.Ballot wording: Shall Augusta Fire Protection District impose a sales tax of one percent for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of Augusta Fire Protection District and shall the total property tax levy on properties in the district be reduced annually by an amount which reduces property tax revenues by amount equal to fifty percent of the previous year's revenue collected from this sales tax?Summary: If passed, the sales tax on retail purchases within the district would increase by 1 cent to help pay for services and to reduce property taxes. The measure requires the district's property tax rate to drop by an amount producing revenue equal to half of the previous year's revenue from the sales tax hike. Supporters say the measure would allow property owners and the wider population using these services to share the cost of providing them. Critics say sales taxes are regressive and the region is becoming a high-sales tax area.