People in Osceola and Stromsburg will be paying more sales tax on local purchases.

In special all-mail elections, voters in both eastern Nebraska towns approved the increases.

In Stromsburg, 308 people voted for the 1.5 percent local sales tax, versus 140 against.

Stromsburg officials say the 1.5 percent tax would help pay for a new water plant, a bigger fire station and fix leaks in the town swimming pool.

In Osceola, 212 approved raising the current 1 percent tax to 1.5 percent; 91 people voted against the increase.

The tax revenue from the extra half-cent sales tax in Osceola would pay off a bond issue for renovations to the city pool. The city already has a 1-cent local sales tax.