City officials discuss uses for Capital Improvement Sales Tax after Prop 1 passes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia voters on Tuesday approved the continuation of the one-fourth-of-one-percent Capital Improvement Sales Tax.
The approval will extend the sales tax for another 10 years. The current sales tax is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025.
According to the City of Columbia's website, $94,350,000 would go toward public works, $15,450,000 would go to the Columbia Fire Department and $16 million would be given to the Columbia Police Department, coming to a total of more than $125 million.
Columbia Public Works spokesman John Ogan said his department is already working on a timeline of new projects, but there are still projects to complete from the original 10-year period.
"Projects that are coming up this year include sidewalks on Scott (Boulevard) and Broadway and Nifong (Boulevard_, as well Ash Street improvements next year and Garth (Avenue) major maintenance next year. Then the year after that forum widening and improvements," Ogan said.
Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude previously told ABC 17 that her department will use the funds to finish the second floor of the Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, add additional evidence storage and redo the downtown headquarters.
She said the department's long-term plan is to eventually build a station in the south side of town. Schlude also said she would also like to incorporate kiosks with information on resources for the public.
Katherine Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Columbia Fire Department, said the funds will help CFD complete a new fire station and purchase new fire engines.
"We're very excited for our Station 10 and then also we have eight apparatus, fire trucks, that we are planning on purchasing over the span of next 10 years. So we are really excited to get those in the in-service," Rodriguez said.
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe said the funding is important to protecting and maintaining Columbia's current infrastructure and what's to come.
"So we're trying to think about how we're going to take share, take care of those future needs, as well as maintaining and improving upon what we already have," Buffaloe said.
The term for the renewed sales tax will begin January 2026.
