Voters in Ferguson, Missouri, approve 2nd tax increase

FERGUSON, Mo. – For the second time in four months, voters in Ferguson have approved a tax increase to help the St. Louis suburb rebound from the financial hit it took following the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown.

Voters on Tuesday approved a 2 per cent hike in the business license utility tax, creating an additional $700,000 annually. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood says the money will allow the hiring of five police officers, avoid firefighter layoffs and keep a firehouse open.

In April, Ferguson voters approved a sales tax increase and narrowly defeated a property tax increase.

Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white officer Darren Wilson in 2014. Wilson was cleared of wrongdoing, but unrest cost the city millions of dollars in legal fees, overtime, and other expenses.