Voters in Melcher-Dallas have approved a referendum allowing the city to use its local option sales tax revenue for other purposes.

In a special vote on Tuesday, 61 percent of voters approved the measure which permits the City Council to use the revenue for demolition of derelict buildings in town.

The LOST revenue had been earmarked for road improvement use only; Council members have said if they weren’t able to pass the referendum, it would have been necessary to take out a loan in order to tear down the buildings. This would have meant additional expense for taxpayers.

Sixty of the 98 ballots cast were in favor of the referendum.