ST. LOUIS (KTRS) A pay increase is on its way for St. Louis police and firefighters if voters approve a half-cent sales tax this November 7th. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen approved the sales tax hike proposal today in its last meeting before its summer recess.

Afterward, Mayor Lyda Krewson commended the board for putting the proposal on the ballot. She said the budget she inherited when she took office this year had no money available for police and firefighters’ salaries.

The sales tax hike would generate $13 million for the city police department and more than $5 million for the fire department. The city is worried it’s losing officers to St. Louis County, where voters this year approved a sales tax hike to increase salaries for county police by 30 percent.