Columbia City Council to hold work session on Capital Improvement Project sales tax renewal

COLUMBIA, Mo, (KMIZ)

The Columbia City Council is set to host a work session Monday at city hall to discuss the proposed public works ballot, proposed public safety ballot projects and ballot renewal steps. 

The city is hoping to hold a renewal vote in August on the quarter-cent Capital Improvement Project sales tax that is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. It must be renewed by a vote every 10 years. 

The city estimates a renewed CIP sales tax would net it $125,800,000 between 2026-2035. Columbia Public Works would receive 75% of that funding while police and fire would receive the other 25%, according to city documents. 

The City intends to use the sales tax to improve city streets and sidewalks, build and maintain police and fire facilities; and replace major capital assets. Some projects that benefit from the tax include the Forum Boulevard improvement project, State Farm Parkway and Nifong Boulevard Intersection improvements, Bethel Road and Green Meadows Road intersection improvements and more

You can see the full list of projects here.

The tax was last improved in 2015. The ballot language then read:

“Shall the municipality of Columbia, Missouri impose a sales tax of one-fourth of one percent, for a period of ten (10) years, for the purpose of funding capital improvements which may include the retirement of debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness?* This sales tax would continue the existing capital improvements sales tax scheduled to expire on December 31, 2015. The City intends to use this sales tax to improve city streets and sidewalks; construct, maintain and equip police and fire facilities; and replace major capital assets (fire trucks and other equipment). *This language is required by state law. The City does not intend to use sales tax funds to retire debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness.”