A tax measure to help increase police officer pay received unanimous approval to be placed on the November ballot from St. Joseph City Council earlier today.&nbsp;

The half-cent sales tax measure is expected to generate $5.5 million annually to finance the city's agreement with the local Fraternal Order of Police.&nbsp;

Deputy Mayor Randy Schultz says the half cent sales tax was needed to make it a sustainable tax in the future dedicated to just the police department.&nbsp;

"What that does is, like I said, sustainability, it's got a 20 year and then it sunsets so then we can go forward and it is a sales tax that the citizens pay plus anybody from out of town will pay coming into our city," Schultz tells reporters.&nbsp;

If approved, the tax increase would go into effect on January 1st.&nbsp; The new pay plan for the police department includes a $49,000 starting salary and a three percent annual increase.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661543837082.jpeg" alt="The St. Joseph City Council met on Friday for a special session to vote to put a tax measure for police pay on the November ballot, the vote was unanimous/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The St. Joseph City Council met on Friday for a special session to vote to put a tax measure for police pay on the November ballot, the vote was unanimous/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;A tax measure to help increase police officer pay received unanimous approval to be placed on the November ballot from St. Joseph City Council earlier today.&nbsp;The half-cent sales tax measure is expected to generate $5.5 million annually to finance the city's agreement with the local Fraternal Order of Police.&nbsp;Deputy Mayor Randy Schultz says the half cent sales tax was needed to make it a sustainable tax in the future dedicated to just the police department.&nbsp;"What that does is, like I said, sustainability, it's got a 20 year and then it sunsets so then we can go forward and it is a sales tax that the citizens pay plus anybody from out of town will pay coming into our city," Schultz tells reporters.&nbsp;If approved, the tax increase would go into effect on January 1st.&nbsp; The new pay plan for the police department includes a $49,000 starting salary and a three percent annual increase.&nbsp;

Voters will decide police pay issue in November