Springfield shoppers and cellphone users will pay more starting Sunday.
The Springfield State Journal-Register reports that the sales tax will increase from 8.5 percent to 8.75 percent in most of the city. The city keeps 2.5 percent of that, 6.25 percent goes to the state.
And the telecommunications tax will increase from 11 percent to 13 percent, with the city getting 6 percent. It will apply to cellular and landline telephones. But it doesn't apply to data packages or internet-based phone services.
Mayor Jim Langfelder proposed the increases last winter along with nearly $4 million in budget cuts after two years of deficits. Aldermen demanded more cuts and approved the increases in February after approving another $365,000 in reductions.
Officials still expect to dip into reserves to balance the budget.
