The Nixa Fire Protection District Board of Directors has voted to place a 1% fire district sales tax question on the August 2026 ballot, responding directly to community feedback following the November 2025 property tax levy election. If approved, the measure would also require an annual rollback of the property tax levy — providing property tax relief mandated by state law.
“We heard you,” said Fire Chief Lloyd Walles. “In November, voters told us they did not want a property tax increase. We listened. We went back to work, and we found another path — one that spreads the responsibility for funding fire protection more broadly while also reducing the burden on property owners over time.”
What Changed
On August 28, 2025, Missouri state law (RSMo 321.552) was amended to allow fire protection districts to ask voters for a sales tax of up to 1% on retail sales within the district. This option was not available to Nixa Fire for the November 2025 election. The new law opens a different path — one built on shared responsibility.
How It Works
Under this proposal, a 1% sales tax would be collected on retail sales within the district boundary. State law then requires the district to roll back the property tax levy each year by an amount equal to 50% of the prior year’s sales tax revenue. That rollback is not optional — it is mandated by Missouri statute.
Property taxes currently place the primary responsibility for funding fire protection entirely on property owners. This proposal creates a more balanced system by including those who shop, work, and travel within the district in contributing to public safety, while providing ongoing, annual property tax relief to residents.
The Ballot Question
Shall Nixa Fire Protection District be authorized to impose a sales tax of one percent (1%) for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the District and the total property tax levy on properties in the District shall be reduced annually by an amount which reduces property tax revenues by an amount equal to fifty percent of the previous year’s revenue collected from this sales tax?
Town Hall Meetings — Your Questions Answered
The district has scheduled three community town hall meetings to discuss the proposal and answer questions. All meetings will be held at the Nixa Fire Training Center Conference Room, 711 N. Main Street, Nixa, Missouri:
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- Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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- Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
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- Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
What the Funding Would Support
Revenue from the sales tax would support the operational needs of the district, including:
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- Staffing and personnel costs
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- Firefighting and emergency response equipment
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- Emergency Communications infrastructure
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- Day-to-day operational expenses
Important: This measure would not affect the district’s existing debt service levy.
FAQs about the tax are available at this link: 2026 Tax FAQ
For more information, visit www.nixafire.gov or attend one of the scheduled town hall meetings.
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