Columbia public safety tax among issues on local August ballots
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
August primary ballots in Mid-Missouri will have fewer issues for voters to decide than some other elections, but some important tax questions will be resolved.
Among them is a 1-cent sales tax to fund public safety in Columbia, including a new police station.
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.
The city says other funding priorities for the tax money 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
Jefferson City capital improvements tax
Jefferson City will ask voters to renew a half-cent capital improvements sales tax with a big change -- going from a five-year sunset clause to a 10-year sunset clause.
"Moving to a 10-year sunset is not about creating a new tax," the city states on its website. "It is about creating a longer planning window for projects that are becoming more complex, more regulated, and more expensive to deliver."
The tax pays for maintenance and improvements to public infrastructure, including streets and parks. It also funds the city's entire asphalt overlay program. The tax is expected to bring in about $70 million over 10 years if it is renewed.
Smithton School District bond issue
Voters in the Smithton School District will be asked to allow the district to borrow $3.5 million in bond funds to pay for widespread improvements, including security and safety.
The district's debt levy is currently set at zero, but would go up to 45 cents per $100 of valuation if the bond issue is approved.
Bond issues require a 4/7 majority for approval.
Osage County R-II School District (Linn) tax levy increase
Voters in the Osage County R-II School District based in Linn will also see a tax increase question on their ballots.
The district is looking for help to pay for Missouri's revised minimum salary requirements for teachers. To do that, it's asking voters to approve a property tax ceiling increase. The ballot issue asks voters to pony up an extra 50 cents per $100 of assessed value for the district's operations. If approved, the ceiling for the district's operating tax levy would be $3.25 per $100 of assessed value.
Mid-Mo Ambulance District sales tax
The Mid-Mo Ambulance District is asking its constituents to approve a half-cent sales tax to fund district operations.
The half-cent would be added to an already existing half-cent sales tax, bringing the district's total take to 1%.
Sedalia license tax reduction
The City of Sedalia wants to change how it taxes power companies.
The city's current 5% license tax on electric light and power companies would go down to 4.75%, but reduced rates and exemptions for large industrial customers would be repealed.
Rolla sales tax for repairs to the Centre
The City of Rolla wants more money to make improvements at its health and recreation complex called The Centre.
City voters will see a question on their ballots to impose a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for those improvements, which include an exercise/therapy pool and multi-purpose rooms.
