Columbia outlines proposed public safety tax spending plan at first community forum

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is set to hold the first of six public forums Thursday night to explain how police and fire leaders would use a proposed 1% public safety sales tax that will appear on the city's August ballot.

Leaders from both departments plan to visit each city ward throughout the month to answer residents questions about the proposal.

If approved by voters, the tax is expected to generate an estimated $38 million annually. The revenue would be dedicated exclusively to public safety, including hiring additional police officers and firefighters, purchasing equipment and vehicles, and improving public safety facilities.

The city released a proposed eight-year spending plan outlining how those funds would be invested.

The largest project in the proposed plan is a new $35 million police headquarters. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the facility scheduled to open in 2029.

Last year, Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude said the department was considering relocating its headquarters to the former IBM building on LeMone Industrial Boulevard. Schlude said the site could be a strong option because it would save the city a significant amount of money while also providing a more functional space for officers.

According to the city, the current police headquarters was built in 1933 and no longer meets the department's operational needs.

The city has previously invested in expanding public safety infrastructure. In 2021, funding from the 2015-25 Capital Improvement Sales Tax helped pay for the construction of the Molly Thomas Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, which the city said provides additional public safety resources on Columbia's north side.

The proposal also includes several fire station projects. In 2027, the city plans to renovate Fire Station No. 4 for an estimated $6 million, followed by a $6 million renovation of Fire Station No. 6 in 2028.

Fire Station No. 2 is slated for renovations in 2029. The long-term plan also includes building two new fire stations, one in 2032 and another in 2035, at an estimated cost of $8 million each.

Thursday's meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the Columbia Sports FieldHouse.

Check back for updates.