Boone County announces 2042 end date for proposed sales tax for jail

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Boone County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a “sunset” date for its proposed public safety sales tax that will appear on the November ballot.

If approved, Proposition L – which is a proposed 3/8-cent sales tax that will be used to build a new jail – will expire Dec. 31, 2042.

Sheriff Dwayne Carey has previously said the current jail is outdated for inmate needs and Boone County housing hundreds of inmates in out-of-county facilities.

According to prior reporting, it cost over $2.5 million in 2025 to house inmates. It cost around $499,000 for housing in 2022. From January to March this year, it cost around $1.12 million to house detainees out-of-county.

The sales tax proposal has been met with opposition.