Though Jefferson City officials were pleased to discover a $1.5 million surplus in the 2014 fiscal year, city revenues have largely remained flat throughout the last few years.
The city's 2015 budget projects roughly $29.4 million in general revenue, a decrease from the $32.7 million the city received in general revenue in the 2014 fiscal year.
With a six-way race set for the mayoral seat, the News Tribune sat down with each mayoral candidate to ask whether they believe Jefferson City needs to increase its revenues and, if so, how. (Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the April ballot.)
Third Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner said city revenues have been largely flat throughout the last few years, which is one of Jefferson City's main challenges, and those revenues do need to grow.
Scrivner said because sales tax is the largest portion of city revenues, as it makes up roughly 33 percent of general revenue, the best way to grow that revenue is to increase the tax base through expansion of business or tourism.
"We make our city attractive and people come here to see what we have to offer and they shop with us, they visit with us, they use our facilities and when they leave, they leave with less money in their pocket," Scrivner said. "We have to figure out how to put our best foot forward."
In response to a question from a News Tribune reader, Scrivner said he would like the economic development contract with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce to be evaluated this year to ensure its economic development efforts are focused and the city receives the full benefit for its $185,000 investment.
Leonard Steinman said the city has to protect the revenue that's already here, first and foremost.
"Let's not overbound ourselves," Steinman said.
Steinman referred to outside vendors coming into the area for events like Thursday Night Live and taking business away from the existing bars and restaurants that continually contribute to the city through taxes and jobs.
In response to a question from a News Tribune reader, Steinman said he would advertise the city on tractor-trailers that travel throughout the country to help promote economic development in the area.
Carrie Tergin said city revenue absolutely needs to be increased and she would like to find ways to encourage development in the area, whether it's residential or commercial. However, she said, officials need to find a way to keep development within city limits, instead of developers choosing to build right outside the city.
"How can we turn that mentality around and make people want to develop here, because people do want to live within the city limits," Tergin said. "We want people to develop in the city, and we want them to choose Jefferson City as their home."
Tergin said the old Missouri State Penitentiary could be the greatest potential generator for economic development in the area, if the property could be "utilized to its fullest potential." She said she wants to work closely with the state to try and spur development on the site that would capitalize on the popular prison tours.
"I just want that to happen," Tergin said. "I'm not going to just sit back like we have all these years. ... I'm tired of being told we can't do it."
Tergin said the chamber is a good tool for economic development, but it should be evaluated annually to make sure the city's economic development needs are met. She also noted she would be open to other options for economic development services if another avenue met the city's needs.
Edith Vogel said the city absolutely needs to raise its revenues, but she's unsure of how to accomplish it.
"The problem is how, without raising taxes," Vogel said. "I don't know. I'm a conservative; fiscal responsibility is very important, and you can't take on projects if you don't have the money to pay for them."
Vogel said the chamber has done well providing economic development services in the past, but the organization is at a bit of a stalemate now. While the chamber makes efforts, she said there's always been one reason or another a company won't locate to Jefferson City, with one of the most frequently heard reasons being the city is not on an interstate highway.
"I know they search hard for people and companies to come here," Vogel said.
She said the planned Training for Life campus that Special Olympics Missouri plans to build hopefully will bring additional revenue and help grow the tax base, as will the new SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital on Mission Drive.
"It's an anchor, and all that development out there, it'll come," she said.
Roy Viessman said the city does need to grow its revenues, but it has to be done by expanding the tax base through attracting more high-dollar jobs in the area.
"I am not in any way at all in favor of raising any taxes at all," Viessman said.
Viessman said the city also may need to look into incentives that could be offered to attract more employers to Jefferson City, which would raise revenue throughout the long term.
"You've got be proactive," Viessman said. "We have got to grow; we have got to move forward."
Viessman said the chamber could work in concert with an industrial commission he would like to see formed to help attract jobs to the area.
Richard S. Groner said he has not taken a close look at the city's current budget, but "you never get enough revenue." He said the city needs to have a continuous and functional annexation program that seeks new areas to annex into the city.
"There's an old statement saying, "If you don't grow, you die,' and I'd say that's my opinion," Groner said. "The city has to expand."
Groner said when it comes to economic development, he would not allow any funds to be given to any entity without a clearly-defined contract that outlines all expectations of that entity.
At a recent forum, Groner also suggested partnering with Cole County to hire a specialist to put effort into locating new companies to the area.