Columbia safety officials defend proposed public safety sales tax amid business concerns
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia public safety leaders are making their case to voters after the City Council on Monday approved putting a proposed 1% public safety sales tax on the August ballot, saying the measure is needed to address decades of understaffing, aging facilities and increasing strain on the city’s general fund.
The tax would raise Columbia’s city sales tax rate from 7.975% to 8.975%, pushing it close to 9%. City leaders estimate the tax would generate about $38 million annually and dedicate that revenue solely to police and fire operations, including staffing, equipment and facility improvements.
According to city officials, the measure comes as public safety already accounts for nearly half of Columbia’s general fund spending. Chief Financial Officer Matthew Lue said public safety currently makes up 48% of the general fund, while sales and use taxes make up nearly 25% of the city’s general fund revenue.
If voters approve the measure in August, Lue said public safety would still account for roughly 45% of the general fund, about $60 million, but departments would also receive an additional $38 million through the dedicated sales tax, reducing the city’s need to rely on reserve funds to cover growing costs.
Columbia Police Department Chief Jill Schlude said staffing remains the most urgent issue.
“We've got to get some relief for our folks. We've got to get to a sufficient number of people, resources to respond to the things we're being asked to respond to in a city of this size. And as some of the council members alluded to, this isn't a problem that just started a year or two years ago. It's compounded over well over 20 years. And so now we're trying to dig out of that hole and hopefully stay out of it with this type of funding,” Schulde said during Monday's City Council meeting.
“We got here because we fell behind, horribly behind by not increasing public safety staff staffing in accordance with the growth of the city. So we need to have that wiggle room so we can go, okay, how much did we grow this year? How much more capacity do we need? We've never had that approach in this city, and that is vital to staying caught up with us.”
Columbia Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer added the city’s growth has outpaced investments in emergency services.
“Now, the real work starts. We have an educational campaign where we have to go out and engage with the public and help them understand the real tangible benefits of their hard-earned money into making Columbia a safer community,” Schaeffer told ABC 17 News on Monday.
The city’s proposed spending plan includes adding 50 police officers and 40 firefighters during a four-year period, building a new police facility, constructing two new fire stations, renovating three existing stations, replacing equipment and vehicles, and developing a police and fire technology plan.
Schaeffer said the city has laid out specific goals tied to each request.
“There's a plan and we've been completely transparent with the plan and every piece of equipment that we're asking for or person has a purpose and has a measurable outcomes, whether it's reducing violent crime or whether it's improving your cardiac arrest save rate or stroke save rate, whatever, we run across as risk is a measurable thing,” he said.
Schlude said the tax would also help the city keep pace with rising technology costs, pointing to programs like license plate readers and drone response systems.
“Look at things like the Flock program, other safety programs I've been very open about. I think we need to look at drones as first responders. It's another huge safety and workforce multiplier," Schlude said on Monday. "All those things cost money and up to now, every time something new comes out that we feel could help not only the officers or the firefighters but the community, we have to come with our hand out to the council and they have to make these really hard decisions about where that money's going to come from.
“Frankly, sometimes it's coming while the time has come from reserves. So having a dedicated funding source to help keep up with those technology assets is so important because I don't think it's technology's not going to stop in our profession.”
She also acknowledged public skepticism about how past city projects have been handled.
“I know there's a lot of skepticism about past projects with the city, but also a lot of the projects that they're talking about were not moved forward by the council," Schlude said. "Obviously, any money we get through this fund still has to be allocated by council, but it's a heck of a lot easier for them to allocate funds that’s already dedicated to us.”
Schulde also pointed to unfinished projects like the second floor of the city’s North Police Station as an example of the consequences of delaying infrastructure investments.
“I hear people say, 'well, the second floor of the North Station still isn't finished.' Well, that's because when that project was an ask in capital improvement, and we said, 'Hey, we needed North Station.' We waited so long to build it that construction costs escalated to the point where we couldn't build the facility that we needed to build," she said. "And so I think we've realized the error in our ways as a city about kicking that can, because we've done it with other projects, not just in public safety.”
ABC 17 News spoke with more than half a dozen business owners and organizations downtown on Tuesday. Most declined to comment publicly or asked to remain anonymous, citing either a lack of information about the proposal or concern that taking a position on a ballot issue could affect their business.
Among those who spoke generally, a common concern was the city’s sales tax approaching 9%, or exceeding that in some downtown districts where an additional 0.5% Community Improvement District tax is already in place. Some business owners said they worry higher taxes could discourage spending at a time when inflation and economic pressures are already affecting customers.
Mid-Missouri Peaceworks Director Mark Haim said the proposal raises concerns about the burden on lower-income residents.
“Peaceworks doesn’t take positions on elections, but what I will say is that the idea of having regressive taxation is pretty questionable," Haim said. "We're in situation where we are seeing an ever increasing chasm between the well-to-do and the people of very modest means, many of whom are out on the streets or living in very substandard housing. We need to really be looking at how to make our society more just and more economically viable for all participants."
He added that even small tax increases can add up for families already struggling.
“Low-income people are hurting. They're hurting badly. And to face more taxes is going to be really difficult. And it's going to affect lots of people in what seem like small ways. But they add up and, you know, 1% here and 2% there, and pretty soon you're approaching 10%. That's a lot of taxation.”
According to city estimates, households earning around $15,000 annually would pay about $81 more per year if the tax passes, while households earning around $58,000 annually would pay an estimated $267 more.
That concern was echoed by resident Brenda Campbell during Monday’s City Council meeting.
“A one-percent additional sales tax can really make a difference in your that you receive. I’m retired, my husband is retired, so our income does not increase,” Campbell said. “I just know my expenses are these amount each month and one percent, especially for low income people can make a real difference.”
Columbia’s current 7.975% sales tax ranks seventh among Missouri’s 10-most-populous cities. For reference, St. Louis is at 9.6%, Kansas City 8.9%, and Springfield 8.1%. If approved, Missouri would be tied for fourth place at 8.9%.
