Election day in Boone County, mid-Missouri
Columbia and Boone County residents are hitting the polls today, casting their ballots for a use tax. Ashland and Harrisburg are also voting on the issue.
Currently, Columbia and Boone County do not collect sales tax for online purchases when the store doesn’t have a physical location in the state. The use tax would add in a tax for those purchases.
Boone County is proposing a 1.75 percent tax while the city is proposing at 2 percent tax. The county estimates it will bring in an additional $1.25 million in the first year; the city estimates it will add $900,000.
Boone County voters have already approved a use tax for when a resident purchases a car, boat or trailer out of state.
Ten counties in mid-Missouri already have a use tax in place and have told ABC 17 they find it useful. Callaway County Sheriff’s Office was able to hire two additional deputies with the extra funds.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registered voters in Boone County can vote at their assigned polling location or the Boone County Government building in downtown Columbia.
