Columbia use tax supporters say city needs revenue stream for public safety and roads

Columbia voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots on a proposed local use tax involving online sales.

If Proposition One is approved by voters, the local use tax would be enacted on purchases from vendors outside city limits.

Columbia finance director Matthew Lue says a use tax would generate about $5.6 million annually in additional revenue. He says Columbia could fund and maintain seven new firefighters and eight new police officers with the use tax revenue. Passage requires a simple majority.

Boone County also has a use tax measure on the ballot. Mr. Lue tells 939 the Eagle that supporters of Columbia’s Proposition One have been speaking to various clubs, getting the message out that they’ll be voting twice tomorrow.

More than 220 Missouri towns currently have a use tax, including Boonville and Fulton. There is no organized opposition to the measure.