1-cent tax would provide more staffing, 100 hours weekly coverage

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The city of Seligman is proposing a 1-cent law enforcement sales tax on the April 8 ballot, aiming to increase staff and total coverage hours in the city.

Matt Phillips, Seligman police chief, said the department’s $119,000 budget is currently funded through the city’s general fund, which levies a 1-cent sales tax. The general fund is projected to garner $140,000 this year.

‘That level of funding would allow us to get 100 hours of coverage per week versus the 40 hours per week of coverage now,’ Phillips said. ‘It will also give us more competitive pay, starting officers at $21.50 per hour versus now at $17.50 per hour.’

Approval will allow Phillips to hire one full-time patrolman and one part-time patrolman, bringing the city up to coverage 7 days per week, but not 24/7 coverage.

‘Without this passing, we will stay at 40 hours of coverage per week,’ Phillips said. ‘If it passes, we will start receiving revenues in October, which will allow us to budget for the new patrolmen in 2026.

‘We’ve had 40 hours of coverage since July last year. When no one is on duty, the call goes to the [Barry County Sheriff’s Office], and our hours are based on whatever is happening that week.’

Outside of Philips’ 40 hours, Seligman also employs Officer Terry Burgess in an on-call capacity.

‘Our last patrolman left for better pay,’ Phillips said. ‘We want to raise pay for patrolmen, but it’s not feasible for the city. I’m not asking for a raise, just to meet our needs for more coverage and help. One person doing everything is hard.’

Seligman police’s equipment is largely funded by grants, like the radar guns through MoDOT, and the department’s vehicles are purchased through the capital improvement fund.

Outside of the 1-cent general fund sales tax, the city has a 1/2-cent capital improvement sales tax, 1/2-cent streets sales tax and 1/4-cent parks sales tax.

Adding a law enforcement tax would raise the city’s sales tax collections from 2.25 cents on every $100 to 3.25 cents on every $100.

‘This would fully fund the police department, and there’s talk of a little extra still coming from the general fund, but that has yet to be decided,’ Phillips said.

Phillips also noted the $119,000 budget is lower than normal, as the department has not been pursuing a part-time patrolman.

Voters in the city of Seligman may cast ballots in the measue on April 8. Polls open at the Seligman Community Center at 6 a.m and close at 7 p.m.