Half-cent sales tax renwed in Jefferson City

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Voters in Jefferson City approved Proposition 1, a capital improvement sales tax, during Tuesday's election.

The sales tax won with 75% of the vote and will be renewable in 2036. This half-cent sales tax was first introduced to Jefferson City in 1986 and has been approved every time it has appeared on the ballot.

According to Improve Jeff City, "Sales Tax I will continue to fund critical projects and improvements in the following categories. The sales tax is estimated to generate approximately $79 million over 10 years."

The estimated $79 million will be split into five categories, with each category receiving a different percentage of the money:

• Public works: 59%
• Public safety: 20%
• Parks and recreation: 10%
• Contingency: 9%
• Technology: 2%

Improve Jeff City provides a link to YouTube videos detailing these plans. The half-cent sales tax was last approved in August 2021. The newly approved version will last 10 years.

Brad Bates, co-chair for the proposition, said the tax lasting a decade will allow for the city to plan bigger projects.

"That gives the city the option to help plan more and look at bigger projects more down the road. So it's very beneficial to the community," Bates said.

Bates said this sales tax has funded major projects,

"You look at the Edgewood extension was funded by this half-cent sales tax, The overpass over Lafayette Street or the federal courthouse was built, was funded through this project. So it's very beneficial to the community," Bates said.

A future priority project is the High Street Viaduct, which Bates said is a top priority,

"I would think at the very top, the High Street viaduct has some real structural issues that they that needs to be addressed rather quickly. So I think that'll probably be the first thing that they tackle." Said Bates.