MESA, Ariz. (AP) Mesa voters will have the chance in November to weigh in on a sales tax hike that would fund public safety and higher education improvements.

KNXV-TV reports that city leaders put a 0.4 percent sales tax increase on the November 8 ballot. If approved, it would cost shoppers 40 cents more on every $100 spent.

Officials estimate the new taxes would generate $38 million a year for the city.

The money would go toward hiring dozens of police officers and a new fire station and equipment. Officials say they need help to improve emergency response to subdivisions under construction in southeast Mesa.

The rest of the money would go toward downtown improvements, including building a new ASU campus and expanding Benedictine University.

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