Polk County voters reject OTC taxing district

Polk County voters on Tuesday voted against a taxing district that represented a partnership between Ozarks Technical Community College and the Bolivar R-1 School District.

The measure, which had backing by Gov. Mike Parson, would have added a 20-cent operating level increase per $100 of assessed value within the Bolivar R-1 School District territory, according to a district news release issued ahead of the Nov. 7 election. In return, those living in the district would have become eligible for reduced OTC tuition at its in-district rate.

The vote went 57% against, with 43% in favor, according to the unofficial election results posted by the Polk County clerk's office.

Parson previously signaled his support.

"Since day one, workforce development has been a top priority of our administration, and while we have come a long way, this partnership between Bolivar School District and OTC will take us even further," he said in the release prior to the vote. "Not only will this partnership bring career and technical education training opportunities for students in Bolivar but to the surrounding rural communities as well, many of which have been historically overlooked."

Elsewhere in the Springfield area, Taney County voters gave 69% approval to a Branson tourism tax renewal. Other measures included marijuana taxes approved in Marionville, Branson West, Seymour and Marshfield, according to reporting by KY3.