Columbia city council to hear proposal for sales tax increase to fund public safety

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia city council members will hear a presentation on Monday proposing a one-percent sales use tax to help generate funds for fire and police services.

A presentation scheduled for a pre-council meeting on Monday showed the tax would generate an estimated $38 million in additional revenue for the city.

According to the presentation, the additional revenue would go toward "operations and capital improvements" for public safety, including the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire Department. The money generated by the tax would go to a public safety fund specifically for police and fire expenses.

The presentation cited police and firefighter pensions and stabilizing them as the "most critical need." It also listed additional priorities like recruiting, a new police facility, two new fire stations with equipment and other expenses.