Proposition F

Property Tax Relief - reduced reliance on property taxes - Shared Equity in funding public safety - Same Fire, rescue & EMS Services.


Pattonville Firefighters battle blaze in University City_April 2023.

What is Proposition F?

On April 7, 2026, voters will be asked to consider Proposition F. This measure is a proposal to enact a one-percent (1%) sales tax on retail purchases made within the area served by the Pattonville Fire Protection District. One cent of every dollar spent would be dedicated to funding our EMS, fire and rescue services.

Property Tax Relief

If this measure is approved, after one year of sales tax collection, the Pattonville Fire Protection District will reduce its total property tax levy. The reduction in property taxes will equal half of the previous year’s sales tax revenue. Each year thereafter, the property tax rate will be adjusted again using the same formula to maintain balance between the two revenue sources and to ensure stable funding for district operations. Proposition F will responsibly support the operational costs of our EMS, fire and rescue services while REDUCING property taxes for our residents.

Until recently, state law allowed fire protection and ambulance districts in all but five of the 115 county-level jurisdictions in Missouri to collect a sales tax for operational funding. St. Louis County was among the five areas where it was not allowed. Legislation passed by Missouri lawmakers in 2025 enabled fire protection districts in St. Louis County to collect a one-percent sales tax in lieu of a portion of what was traditionally collected through property taxes. This change gives St. Louis County property owners the authority to decide how EMS, fire and rescue services are funded in their communities. Currently, these services are funded primarily through property taxes based on the assessed value of real estate and personal property. Property owners have long called for real estate tax relief and personal property tax reform. The Proposition F measure is designed to reduce real estate and personal property tax burdens by collecting a one-percent sales tax as an alternative. This opportunity modernizes the funding structure for EMS, fire and rescue services, and creates a balanced revenue approach.

 

Shared equity in Funding Public Safety

The proposed sales tax is intended to create shared equity in funding public safety by allowing those who use services - including non-residents - to contribute as consumers to the cost of providing the services that everyone benefits from. This approach helps balance the responsibility to fund EMS, fire and rescue services between property owners and the wider population that depends on emergency services on a daily basis.

Proposition F is a change to the taxing structure that provides funding for EMS, fire and rescue services; a change that will create a system of shared equity in funding these services. A sales tax will allow everyone who shops at local retail businesses and entertainment venues to contribute towards the cost of providing EMS, fire and rescue services to our community, including visitors. This method shares the responsibility of funding public safety more evenly than relying solely on property owners. Often times, the recipients of our emergency response services are not residents of the Pattonville Fire Protection District, and therefore do not pay the property taxes that are collected to fund the District’s operations. These individuals may be traveling through the area, or attending entertainment events at venues within the District. By levying a sales tax, these individuals will contribute towards funding the emergency services that everyone within our community relies on.

 

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The Pattonville Fire Protection District is among only 1% of fire departments nationwide to have been awarded a Public Protection Class 1 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This designation is awarded to only two of the forty-two fire departments in St. Louis County, only eight of the 1365 fire departments in Missouri, and only 503 of 37,983 fire departments nationwide. An ISO Class 1 rating represents the delivery of superior fire protection services to our community and translates into decreased insurance premiums for property owners. Proposition F will provide the resources necessary to continue our ISO Class 1 fire protection rating into the future.

Pattonville Paramedic/Firefighters teach CPR to students at Pattonville Senior High School.

If approved by the voters within our community, sales tax revenue would be dedicated to maintaining essential fire and emergency services, including:

  • Preserving staffing levels and response times;

  • Maintaining and replacing emergency equipment and apparatus;

  • Supporting firefighter training and safety;

  • Reducing long-term reliance on property tax dollars.

 

A Local Decision offered regionally

In addition to the Pattonville Fire Protection District, there are other fire protection and emergency medical service agencies throughout St. Louis County that are also presenting Proposition F to their voters. The initiative is not a county-wide decision, however, as each district must approve the measure individually before a sales tax for EMS, fire and rescue services can be implemented in that area.

 
Pattonville Paramedic/Firefighter fights a flammable liquid fire.

Transparency & fairness

Sales tax revenue generated through Proposition F will continue to support high-quality EMS, fire and rescue services. Everyone who lives in, works in, shops in, or commutes through our community will contribute towards the cost of public safety, and property owners will be afforded real estate and personal property tax relief. This approach strengthens public safety funding without sacrificing emergency response capabilities. Please remember to vote on April 7, 2026.

 

questions?

Thank you for allowing us to explain Proposition F. If you have any questions regarding this matter you may contact Fire Chief Jim Usry by phone at 314-739-3118 ext. 4800, or by email at jusry@pattonvillefd.com.

 
Please VOTE on Proposition F on APRIL 7, 2026.
 

The information provided herein regarding Proposition F is intended solely to disseminate and provide factual information about a question that will appear before voters. These messages are not intended to advocate, support, oppose, or defeat the measure, nor to influence the voter. Voters are encouraged to conduct their own research and make independent choices. This website is paid for by the Pattonville Fire Protection District; 13900 St. Charles Rock Road; Bridgeton, MO 63044. Bob Soutier - Fire District Treasurer.