The commission-appointed sales tax advisory committee met for the final time last week to approve its recommendation for upcoming sales tax ballot initiatives.
Formed late last summer, the group starting meeting in October and reached its consensus in February.
"This will put long-term stability into our county budget," said presiding commissioner Ron Schieber via speakerphone at the meeting held Thursday, April 2 at the Platte County Resource Center.
The final report - calling for a reduction of the parks and recreation tax from one-half to one-quarter cent and creation of a new quarter-cent law enforcement tax - was approved by a unanimous vote, and provides the commissioners with a recommendation for a possible future sales tax issue to place before voters.
The committee held a modified meeting, broadcast via a live stream and with members in attendance via teleconference. Only committee chair Sandra Thomas and member Gordon Cook were present in person.
The full report will be made available on the county website at co.platte.mo.us.
In summary, the report states the committee's recommendation to place the two quarter-cent retail sales tax issues, both with 10-year sunsets, on a future ballot.
“The parks/stormwater portion is intended to be used to continue development and construction of trails, for enhancements of existing parks, as a supplement to the current capital improvements reserves held for completion of the current master plan projects, for continuation of stormwater infrastructure projects and for annual operating expenses and maintenance and is not intended to be used for any form of community center expansion or remodeling,” the report states. “The law enforcement portion is intended to be a supplement to and not a replacement of current general fund allocations to law enforcement and is to be specifically directed to annual operating expenses for judicial (sic), prosecutor and sheriff as illustrated... Further, none of these sales tax revenues are to be used for payment of any form of long term debt, whether specifically approved by voters in the future or through certificates of participation, whether existing or new.”
The report notes the committee did not discuss the possible impacts of the COVID-19 situation on short and long term revenues.