Columbia to hold special election that could cost more than revenue expected from proposition

A use tax would be new to most Columbia residents, and it is not an additional tax they have to pay.

The Columbia City Council will introduce a possible special election to be held in November to have residents vote on a use tax.

A use tax is essentially a sales tax for online purchases from companies that don’t have a physical location inside the city or state.

The Boone County Clerk of Court said the average cost of a special election is $120,000. At this time, the city of Columbia’s proposition for the use tax is the only item on the ballot, which means the city would have to pay the entire cost of holding the election.

Matt McCormick, president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, said voters passing the use tax sooner is better than passing it later, because a use tax will be passed at the federal level eventually.

“I know our legislators that are up in D.C., they talk about it. We’ve had conversations with them on a regular basis about it. It’s something that eventually will take place, but it’s making sure that you’re prepared and ready for whenever it does,” McCormick said.

For more information about the use tax proposition and what other city leaders have said about it, click here.