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On May 14th, Dewey voters will have a chance to approve or reject a four-tenths of one percent increase to the City of Dewey's sales tax. This is possible after Monday night's Dewey City Council meeting where the council approved a resolution to authorize the calling and holding of an election to possibly increase Dewey's sales tax rate. Public meetings have been held in recent months to discuss this possibility and see where the public stood on the matter.

According to City Manager Kevin Trease, the sales tax over the years has been down which has affected Dewey's general fund. If the voters go on to approve the four-tenths of a cent, Trease says the general fund will see a $100,000 increase. That matches the amount the general fund has lost over the years. Trease says that's about where the funds are now compared to a year ago.

If Dewey residents approve the hike in the sales tax, it will be the first time the have voted to increase the City's sales tax rate since 1976. Approval of the increase is anticipated to provide revenues for the support and functions of Dewey's Municipal Government. That includes funds for the police department, the fire department and more. The Dewey City Council would approve an ordinance after the resolution Monday night. They did this so the tax will go into effect immediately if voters approved it in May.