Columbia City Council to revisit sales tax proposal, potential data center pause
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Following a lengthy discussion during their May 4th meeting, the Columbia City Council is once again set to vote on putting a proposed 1% sales tax dedicated to public safety on the August ballot.
During its last meeting, the council voted 4-3 on Monday night to table a decision. The council must approve the proposed sales tax ordinance as written during Monday’s meeting to get it on the August ballot. If the City Council approves the ordinance as written, this question would appear on the ballot:
"Shall the municipality of Columbia, Missouri impose an additional citywide sales tax at a rate of one percent, solely for the purpose of providing revenues to improve public safety for the city, which shall be limited to expenditures on equipment, salaries and benefits, and facilities for police and fire departments?"
Even if the ordinance is approved by the City Council, it would need voter approval during the 2026 August primary elections in order to go into effect.
If approved, the ordinance would add a 1% general sales tax, with the revenue generated going solely to the Columbia Police Department and Columbia Fire Department.
According to Monday’s council memo, the city estimates that the 1% sales and use tax dedicated to public safety will produce $38 million in revenue.
The goal of the ordinance is to help both departments increase staffing, cover facility upgrades, and buy new equipment. Specific priorities listed by the city under the proposed sales tax include:
- Increase CPD staffing to 50 officers over four years
- Increase CFD staffing to 40 firefighters over four years
- Build a new Police Facility
- Purchase new police vehicles and equipment
- Build two new fire stations with apparatus
- Renovate three current fire stations
- Develop a police and fire technology plan
- Maintain competitive wages
The current sales tax rate for Columbia sits at nearly 8% (7.975%), with 4.2% coming from the state, 2% from the city, and 1.75% from Boone County. The 2% from the City of Columbia currently includes a 1% general sales tax, 0.5% transportation sales tax, 0.25% capital improvement sales tax and 0.25% park sales tax.
Data center moratorium
The City Council will also be weighing in on the immediate future of data centers.
According to the council memo, the council will consider an ordinance that would pause the acceptance and processing of permits for new or expanding data center projects for one year.
The proposal follows an April decision to create a new zoning definition for data centers and classify them as a conditional use in the General Industrial district. The move requires Planning and Zoning Commission review and final approval by the council.
According to city staff, the temporary delay would give the city time to develop additional use-specific standards and clearer evaluation criteria for data center proposals. Officials have raised concerns about the potential impacts of data centers, including heavy demands on electrical and water infrastructure and possible effects on surrounding land uses that may require additional buffering or screening.
Staff initially recommended a six-month pause but now suggest a one-year delay, citing the need for community engagement and a full regulatory review process.
A similar ordinance was passed in Camdenton earlier this month.
Check back for updates.
