CHESTERFIELD, Mo. — Voters will decide November 3 whether to authorize $34.5 million in bonds for a replacement aquatic center and establish a local use tax intended to repay that borrowing.
Proposition A would authorize general obligation bonds for the aquatic center. Proposition Q would impose a use tax at the city’s existing 1% local sales-tax rate on qualifying purchases from out-of-state sellers when local sales tax is not already collected.
The questions require separate votes. The bond proposal needs a four-sevenths majority to pass, while the use-tax proposal needs a simple majority.
The city’s financing plan calls for use-tax revenue to repay the bonds without increasing its property-tax rate. General obligation bonds remain secured by the city’s taxing authority, however, and the ballot language makes use-tax spending subject to annual City Council appropriation.
Proposition Q also addresses what happens after aquatic-center bonds are no longer outstanding: Its stated purpose would shift to public safety, subject to applicable law. The proposed tax therefore extends beyond the construction decision itself.
The city says its existing aquatic center has closed and would be replaced at the same Central Park site. Preliminary plans include a recreation pool, an eight-lane lap pool, a diving well, shaded areas and a year-round community room.
If both measures pass, officials aim to open the replacement for the 2028 season. That remains a goal pending voter approval, final design and construction planning.
Sources: City of Chesterfield: propositions and ballot language; City of Chesterfield: financing and project FAQ; St. Louis County election information ballot, page 11
