Jefferson City officials are getting ready for a sales tax renewal of their own later this summer.
At a City Council work session Monday, the council was given an overview of the proposed breakdown for the next installment of the city's half-cent capital improvement sales tax, which is expected to be placed on the August ballot. Cole County has already kicked off its campaign for the renewal of its capital improvement sales tax, which will be on the April 5 ballot.
At Monday's meeting, council members indicated support for the staff recommendation of projecting $25 million total revenue for the tax over a five-year period, generating $5 million per year.
The sales tax is in its sixth five-year installment since starting in 1987 and typically is used to fund what are seen as one-time purchases or large projects and equipment.
The City Council is still in the process of discussing how the next installment will be spent, but the breakdown for departments currently would remain the same, with public works receiving 59 percent, or $14.75 million; public safety receiving 19 percent, or $4.75 million; parks receiving 10 percent, or $2.5 million; IT/GIS receiving 2 percent, or $500,000; and contingency funds making up another 10 percent, or $2.5 million.
But the specifics could change as the council continues discussions. Second Ward Councilman J. Rick Mihalevich said he would be willing to consider a change in the breakdown if there was a greater need in certain departments, specifically citing growing costs for street and stormwater projects.
"We have those challenges," Mihalevich said. "I'm open to those percentages changing."
Third Ward Councilman Ken Hussey said he was concerned some funds may be used for items or projects that are more operational in nature than a capital improvement.
"I want to make sure we're cautious that we're not putting things in here that are really annual operating expenses," Hussey said.
After some discussion, the council indicated support for moving a resolution forward to the March 21 City Council meeting that would approve the intended allocation of the sales tax, if approved by the voters in August. An ordinance would come in April to place the tax renewal on the August ballot.
Mayor Carrie Tergin said the council could hold another work session on the topic in mid-March if needed.