Recently passed measure to bolster law enforcement

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Voters in the city of Cassville passed a new use tax for online purchases on April 4, and the city hopes to see the measure net about $150,000 per year, if not more, to supplement the Cassville Police Department.

Steve Walensky, Cassville city administrator, said that the ultimate annual revenue is a mystery due to the nature of the tax and no previous tracking.

“We don’t know how much people in the city spend online, so all we can do is forecast,” he said. “Other communities our size said they get about $150,000 to $200,000 annually, but some of them under-forecasted. Though, the COVID pandemic may have affected how people were purchasing items at that time. We hope to see at least $150,000, but we won’t know until it starts coming in.”

The use tax allows the city to collect its sales tax dollars already being collected at the point of sale for online businesses. Had voters not passed the use tax, their city sales taxes would stay with the online business or the state.

The measure failed in the April 2022 election, and the city altered the language this year to earmark the funds for public safety.

The use tax collection will begin in August, with the first disbursement in September, continuing monthly like the city’s sales taxes.

“We won’t see good numbers until the end of the third quarter or fourth quarter,” Walensky said.

Anticipating a six-figure sum coming its way, the city is planning how that money can make a difference in public safety.

“The big ticket item is obviously the police department, because it consumes a vast amount of general revenue,” Walensky said. “This will give that department a boost.”

The Police Department operates on an annual budget of about $1.2 million, which includes everything from staffing to equipment to capital.

“If we can dwindle down what we are spending with general sales tax, that may open us up for some other areas of growth with what we have coming in,” Walensky said. “This will also help with employee retention and attraction at the police department.”

The city of Cassville in March organized the Police Department Efficiency Committee, which has a final April meeting before bringing recommendations to the City Council at its May meeting.

Those recommendations are expected to include alterations to salaries and staffing, as well as a path forward to a new police chief when current Chief Dana Kammerlohr retires on June 1.

With lower salaries than many nearby municipalities and counties, Cassville is understaffed, and Walensky said getting the department on solid footing is the first goal. After that, other possibilities remain on the table.

“[Animal control] is certainly on the list,” he said. “It has been an ongoing issue, and if we can be more competitive with hiring and retaining patrol officers, we may have that opportunity.”

Walensky said in recent years, specifically after two dogs mauled a woman on Main Street near the Cassville school district, he toured multiple animal control facilities and knows what it would take to make such a position sustainable.

“I talked to the animal control officer in Monett and toured their facility and saw the equipment, and I did the same in Joplin,” Walensky said. “Right now, the bigger need is we are down several officers, and we have to be more competitive with pay.

“But, that does not mean animal control is off the table.”

The tax passed by a 54-46 margin, with 172 in favor and 146 against, and Walensky said he wanted to thank all who voted.

“I appreciate everyone who came out to vote and their support for law enforcement and public safety,” he said. “From Steve Walensky, I want to thank everyone who supported this.”

Kammerlohr also said she was thankful for the tax passing, hoping it will improve city coverage.

“I’m very pleased and thankful the use tax passed and we have such great support for law enforcement,” she said. “Because of this, we will get to continue with the goals set at the Cassville Police Department.”