June 8th, 2026 Local News
Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - Officials in the City of Farmington are helping residents better understand Missouri Amendment 1, a measure that will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot.
Amendment 1 would continue Missouri’s existing one-tenth of one percent sales tax, first approved by voters in 1984. The revenue is divided equally between Missouri’s State Parks and Historic Sites and soil and water conservation efforts across the state.
City officials note that the tax currently provides roughly 75 percent of Missouri’s state park system budget. If the amendment were to fail, they warn it could create significant funding shortfalls that may affect park operations, maintenance, and long-term sustainability.
Missouri’s park system includes 93 state parks and historic sites, many of which draw visitors from across the state and region.
In Southeast Missouri, that includes St. Joe State Park, St. Francois State Park, Hawn State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park, Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri Mines State Historic Site, and Washington State Park.
State parks across Missouri recorded more than 1.4 million visitors in 2025, with many locations offering low-cost camping and cabin stays that help drive local tourism and support nearby communities.
Supporters say those tourism dollars play an important role in rural economies, while also preserving access to natural and historic resources.