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, Pattonville Fire Protection District will ask you to vote on Proposition F. This initiative is a proposal to enact a one-percent (1%) sales tax on certain retail purchases made within the geographical region served by the Pattonville Fire Protection District. One cent of every dollar spent will be allocated to the provision of EMS, fire and rescue services. Purchases of prescription medications, fuel, most groceries, utilities, and agricultural products will not be affected by this proposal. The current tax rates on these items will not be changed.

Property Tax Relief

If the sales tax measure is approved, after one year of sales taxes have been collected, the total property tax levy on properties within the Pattonville Fire Protection District will be reduced by an amount that reduces the District’s total property tax revenue by one half of the previous year’s revenues collected from the new sales tax. Similarly, the property tax rate will be adjusted again every year thereafter to rebalance property taxes by half of what was collected through the previous year’s sales taxes. Proposition F will responsibly support the operational costs of our EMS, fire and rescue services while REDUCING property taxes for our residents.

Until recently, Missouri Revised Statute §321.552 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 jurisdictions where it was not permitted. Legislation passed by Missouri lawmakers in 2025 enables fire protection districts in St. Louis County to now collect a sales tax in lieu of a portion of what was previously generated by property taxes. This change created the opportunity for St. Louis County property owners to decide how they are taxed for the purposes of providing funding for EMS, fire and rescue services in their communities. Currently, funding for these services is generated from a tax levied against the assessed value of real estate and personal property. Property owners have long called for real estate property 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 sales tax as an alternative.

 

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 responsibility 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. Proposition F will create a system of shared equity in funding these services. With a sales tax, everyone who shops at local retail businesses and entertainment venues will contribute towards the cost of providing EMS, fire and rescue services, including visitors. This method shares the responsibility of funding public safety more fairly 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 contribute to the property taxes 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 they may require during their visit to our community.

 

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

This initiative is not only being presented to voters in the Pattonville Fire Protection District. Many fire protection and emergency medical service agencies throughout St. Louis County are proposing Proposition F to their voters as well. The initiative is not a county-wide decision, however, as it must be approved by the voters in each jurisdiction in order for the sales tax to be implemented in that area. The same circumstances exist in St. Charles County where Proposition Fire and Proposition EMS are being asked of the electorate in that area. Despite having different names, the premise of each initiative is the same.

 
Pattonville Paramedic/Firefighter fights a flammable liquid fire.

Transparency & fairness

Sales tax revenue generated through Proposition F will provide operational funding for EMS, fire and rescue services. Everyone who lives in, works in, shops in, or drives through our community will contribute towards the cost of public safety, and property owners will be afforded real estate and personal property tax relief; all 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.