Dennis Morrissey
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
I support the Jefferson City Police and Fire departments. I have no doubt they have a need for funds, but there are better ways to fund their needs than a new sales tax. We citizens are being asked to pass another sales tax that is not needed. The Nov. 2 ballot has a ¼ percent sales tax dedicated to public safety. Our city has funds to support these entities without a tax increase. It is just a matter of priorities.
We just renewed a capital improvements sales tax that will generate $30 million dollars. Jefferson City will also receive close to $15 million in funding from the federal government for COVID recovery. These funds could be used to cover any equipment needs for police and fire. In addition, the use of these funds should offset normal expenditures from other sales and property tax sources of revenue. These savings could be used to cover any necessary salary increases.
Another funding solution could be an amendment to reduce the parks sales tax and rededicate part of that sales tax for fire and police needs. Parks are a nice-to-have item while police and fire protection are a necessity.
While more funding is one solution, we should also look at ways to be more efficient. For example; we have an abundance of law enforcement in this area. We have Troop F Highway Patrol and Missouri State Highway Patrol headquartered in Jefferson City. We have the Cole County Sheriff's Department and the Jefferson City Police Department. We have the Lincoln Police and the Capitol Police. If all these entities worked together and coordinated efforts, some efficiencies might be gained with less staff and better pay for Jefferson City police.
Lastly, a sales tax imposes an egregious and disproportionate tax burden on lower-income people. This sales tax will cost lower-income people a larger percentage of their income than higher-income people.
Prices for goods and services are rising fast enough, already. We don't need to add on more taxes. Please vote no on this sales tax on Nov. 2.