For the second time in as many years, Cassville voters who go to the ballot box on April 4 will see the same question concerning a local use tax.
The proposal was made in all seven incorporated Barry County cities in April 2022, but the measure only passed in three, Seligman, Exeter and Wheaton.
Why the split?
For one, the wording of the question is a smidge confusing. It reads: “Shall the City of Cassville, Missouri, impose a local use tax for the purpose of maintaining public safety at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action?”
Huh? The first question I have when reading this is, what even is a use tax? And the second question is, obviously, how much would this take out of my pocket?
I don’t typically choose sides in ballot issues in my columns. I think the only other I have specifically advocated for was the Barry County law enforcement tax, which was sorely needed to staff the sheriff’s office. That was a brand new tax that I voted for and am now paying for every time I make a purchase in the county.
The use tax, once you dig into it, is much more straightforward than you may think, and the best part — it costs you nothing.
Let me explain. A use tax is a local tax on goods purchased from out of state for delivery locally. For example, if a person makes a purchase at a local store, the vendor collects a state and local sales tax on that item. However, if the same person makes the same purchase from an online vendor outside the state of Missouri, the vendor is not required to collect the same local sales tax.
Ever shop on Amazon or Etsy? I have out of sheer laziness. If I buy a tool online when I could buy from Michael’s, for example, the city of Cassville would for sure receive my sales tax if I bought it from the latter. Instead, by buying online, I am paying the same price whether the site levies the local sales tax or not, but the city does not get its cut.
The state already collects taxes from online vendors, and passing the use tax in Cassville would ensure the city gets its piece of that pie.
To re-iterate — you will pay no more in taxes, and the city will receive more tax dollars.
It’s also no chump change. In November of last year, when Monett floated the tax for a second time as Cassville is now, Mike Brownsberger, Monett mayor, said although there’s no specific way to gauge it like a local sales tax, Monett expected to get around $250,000 per year from the measure.
When looking at sales tax revenues, Cassville generally runs about half of what Monett receives, so I would estimate the city could pull in $100,000 to $150,000, and, again, at no extra cost to residents.
The ballot language in this go-around was also altered, specifying public safety as the area any excess funds would go toward.
I have not queried the city on how specifically it could be spent, but officials are currently evaluating the police department staffing and salaries, so I imagine that’s where a decent chunk will end up.
I have another suggestion, one the city has struggled with for decades. The city has recently come into American Rescue Plan Act money that is helping to build a new public works facility. As a one-time expense, those funds are suggested to be used for capital projects instead of recurring expenses like salaries.
This tax, however, will be a continuous boon to the city’s coffers. What I would like to see is a portion of it be earmarked for a future animal control officer. Cassville has long had issues with loose animals in town. Just a couple of weeks ago, a stray Husky found his way onto my front porch and got into a fight with my dog.
It’s not the first time that has happened either. I have honestly lost count at the number of times I have called police for loose animals in my neighborhood, one full of not only ours and our neighbors’ children, but one that is used by many students going between the high school and lower schools campuses.
With the state of Cassville’s finances in strong shape and sales tax dollars staying consistently positive, a city pound and a dedicated animal control officer should be in the conversation of possible uses for new revenue.
Residents of this city have asked, asked again, and asked again. Can this city council finally deliver it?
In April 2022, 355 total votes were cast, with 201 against and 134 in favor, a 60-40 split.
If you plan to cast a ballot on April 4, do your city, and by proxy yourself, a favor and vote “yes” on the local use tax.
These funds are already being collected, and Cassville is being left out. All it takes to change that is your vote.
Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014. In 2017, he was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers, and in 2022, he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktrout-man@ cassville-democrat.com.
