Proposition A passed Tuesday night during the Pettis County municipal election, garnering almost 70% of the votes. Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders’ department will soon have new, increased funding after the .5% tax passed to help him out.
“Amazing, overwhelmed, I don't even know what to say,” Anders said. “This isn't about me; this is about this team that has built the reputation of this department. All I did was tell the story.”
In past months, Anders repeatedly told the story of a department desperately in need of more equipment, more manpower, and more money for jail renovations and staff.
“This county is getting ready to have an amazing Sheriff's Department,” Anders said. “Everything that this should have been for the past several decades is about to become a reality. The overwhelming support from every single precinct in this county is just absolutely unbelievable. This is better than winning the election, to have this vote of confidence in this department is beyond words.”
A vote of confidence backed by what could be a significant yearly departmental income.
“It should be $3.8 million give or take,” Pettis County Presiding Commissioner David Dick said. “That kind of depends on what the buying power is in the county. I'm tickled to death. I appreciate the folks supporting local law enforcement, giving them the tools, not just the funds to accomplish the goals the citizens want.”
Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza noted the tax revenue will improve the department and keep some funds in the general revenue account.
“It's very important that the people spoke, and it won with such a high margin,” Baeza said. “Now obviously, it's going to be up to us to work with the Sheriff's Department to make sure that we can appropriate these funds. This will help this department tremendously and obviously, it will help our general revenue as well.”
Anders has high hopes for his newly funded department.
“I want to thank everybody. I want to thank every citizen in this county,” Anders said. “For their support for this team, everything they say to them out on the streets, the letters we've received, the cookies, the donuts that they send, everything that they do it means so much. I can tell you without a doubt this agency will be one of the best in Missouri.”
After hanging up, Anders called the Democrat back to relay one other message.
“A huge, huge shout-out to Nick La Strada and his team for working through this (election) in a tornado warning,” Anders added.
