The city of Poplar Bluff will hold an election in April for two positions on the city council. The ballot is also expected to include an internet use tax proposition for certain online purchases from out-of-state vendors.
Filing opens Dec. 15 for the Ward 2 seat currently held by Ed DeGaris and the Ward 4 seat currently held by Shane Cornman. Filing will continue through Jan. 19.
DeGaris said Tuesday he will not file for re-election. He has served Ward 2 since 2009. Attempts to reach Cornman were unsuccessful as of Tuesday afternoon.
Council members discussed the use tax during a regular meeting Monday and are expected to make a decision Dec. 21.
City manager Matt Winters said Monday he plans to bring proposals to the council for specific projects the use tax money could help fund.
“Working through this budget really, really brought home how important this is,” said Winters, who also presented a 2021 budget proposal to the council Monday that included personnel cuts.
The use tax has failed four previous times. It has been estimated the tax would generate between $300,000-$350,000 annually.
The tax would be collected on items bought elsewhere and brought or shipped into the state, such as online purchases. It would be taxed at the same sales tax rate as the city sales tax applied to items bought in a local brick and mortar business.
Money would go to the city’s general revenue fund. This fund pays for salary and benefit expenses for departments including police, fire and street, as well as other expenses across the city budget.
Candidates for city council must be 21 years old, a qualified voter, have lived in the ward for one year prior to seeking office and have no outstanding tax liens, forfeiture or defalcation in office.
Candidates can apply during the filing period, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the last day of filing.