Voters have approved a 1/2-cent sales tax for the Cassville Volunteer Fire Protection District, an election result Chief Derek Acheson said signified the direction residents want the District to take regarding its services.

The only issue on the ballot on Nov. 4, and only open to voters within the district, the measure received 203 votes (67%) in favor and 102 votes (33%) against. The 306 votes represented 7.45% of the 4,110 registered voters.

“With a two-to-one majority, that instills confidence in us,” Acheson said. “We are grateful for the folks that turned out and voted. They told us the direction they ant us to go with emergency services, and we’re grateful for that.”

Acheson said the District will receive its first payment in July 2026, then will receive payments monthly or quarterly, totaling an estimated $600,000 to $700,000 annually.

Funds received in 2026 will likely go into a reserve in preparation for a full 2027 budget relying heavily on sales tax revenue. The District’s current property tax is expected to be phased out over the next few years, Acheson said.

“The plan is to budget for 2027, and it’s up to the board, but we hope to see the 2026 funds be a reserve and close any gaps,” he said. “White Rock’s fire district is in its second year of sales tax revenues, and they are phasing out their property tax completely. I think we will be in that same boat.”

Acheson said plans for the new funds, which more than doubles the $270,000 budget this year, will first go to facilities, then to staffing and personnel, then to equipment and apparatus.

“The first thing we’re proposing to the board is a schedule for improvements we want to see and a timeline on facilities,” he said. “We want to work at Station No. 1 first to get a classroom, offices and living quarters done. Then, we want to improve Station No. 2 with living quarters. The last thing would be a training facility, which we hope to build behind Station No. 1, but that location is to be determined.”

The District currently has 18 volunteers, many of whom also work fulltime in other emergency services. Later next year, Acheson hopes to propose hiring a full-time chief and a part-time deputy chief who would oversee maintenance and operations.

Acheson said the goal with the funding increase is to be fiscally responsible and aim for longevity.

“We’re not trying to be the FDNY or anything, just trying to provide a good service,” he said. “We will prioritize usability over anything flashy, because we hope for things to be functional and usable for long periods of time, and we hope the people see that effort.”