BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission voted 2-1 at it regular meeting Monday, Aug. 28 to put a use tax on the Nov. 7 Special Election ballot. The tax would levy a one percent county tax on internet sales and the purchase of new vehicles from out-of-state dealerships. Associate Commissioners Carol Jarrell and Steve Jordan voted to put the issue on the ballot, while Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis voted against it.
County voters rejected a county use tax in April 2013 by a 1,238 to 1,491 vote.
Under current laws, the county collects no money on Internet sales. A use tax is the only tax that allows collection of taxes from out-of-state online sales. The use tax would also allow the county to continue to collect sales taxes on the purchase of out-of-state vehicles and some equipment.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in March 2012 that a sales tax could not be levied on vehicles and other motor vehicles purchased out of state. The state moved to continue collection of that tax revenue until 2016, but required each local entity to put the use tax on the ballot and have it approved by taxpayers. Gov. Jay Nixon signed an extension of the tax until 2018, but again required local voter approval. If it fails to pass, then no county tax would be collected on purchases of out-of-state vehicles, boats and equipment in 2019.
Stoddard County received $578,808.74 in sales tax revenue in 2011 with $121,594.83 coming from items exempted by the court.
Jarrell and Jordan, both Republicans, supported putting the issue on the November ballot.
Jarrell said the loss in revenue would be detrimental to the county, and paying no sales tax on vehicles purchased out of state could have a negative impact on local dealerships.
"We are not trying to pass a new tax," said Jordan. "We are proposing to continue what we have."
Jordan said estimates provided to him were that the county could lose up to $150,000 annually without the use tax. He said the loss of that much revenue could lead to layoffs, reduced services or both.
Mathis said after the meeting that he did not want voters to think he, as a Democrat, was helping put a tax issue on the ballot. He will be up for re-election in 2018.
The Special Election in November was necessary for county voters to elect a state representative in District 151. Former Rep. Tila Hubrecht (R) resigned earlier this year and moved from the district. Republicans have chosen Herman Morse of Dexter to be on the ballot, while Democrats chose Curtis Clark of Puxico.
Justice Center projects
Architect Dale Rogers told the Stoddard County Commission he was in the process of closing out paperwork for repairs and renovations to the County Justice Center, as well as the installation of new security features in both the Justice Center and Government Building.
The contract for the initial Justice Center renovation project was awarded to Kiefner Brothers Construction at a cost of $872,109. The commission approved some additional work that brought the total cost to around $887,000. In late December 2016, the Commission voted to install security features in the Justice Center, Government Building and old courthouse at a cost of $252,336.
Rogers said he met with contractor superintendents to go over the final "punch list." He said a credit had never been applied for some changes, and that has now been resolved. He said $23,310 was being held in retainer fees.
"We can't close out these projects until the final paperwork has been completed," said Rogers.
Mathis asked about training on some of the security features, specifically for the duress buttons that were installed in the various buildings. Our elected officials do not know who or how anyone is being notified of a potential threat, Mathis said.
Rogers said a representative of KT Powers Systems was to have met with office holders and held a training session. He was told the training already had taken place.
Mathis said there was confusion, and he wanted to make sure everyone knew protocol. Rogers suggested that Mathis contact Matt Kiefner, the manager of the project, to clarify and conduct any training that may be needed.
"What kind of cameras do we have?" asked Jarrell.
Rogers said the cameras were high resolution. He said he did not recall the brand of the cameras, but it was a "good system."
County Jail expansion
Rogers told the commission he had put together some numbers for adding detention cells in the basement of the Government Building. He said there was enough room for several detention cells, but adding a control room and modifying needed services would make the project more expensive.
"There is not enough room to justify the cost of the holding cells," stated Rogers.
Rogers said he has contracted with HMN Consultants in designing a jail expansion, because they specialize in such projects. He said he was working with them on the design for an expansion of the current jail.
Mathis asked if he had consulted Sheriff Carl Hefner, and Rogers said he has met with Hefner for input into the design.
Jordan asked if something could be done to make the exteriors of the current jail and the Trust Building so that they "blended" into a single unit. The Trust Building is being remodeled to provide offices for the county deputies and detectives.
Rogers said an effort was being made to repaint and do some exterior work to make those adjoining buildings more cosmetically attractive.
Rogers said he would submit final plans for the jail expansion at the Sept. 11 meeting of the commission.
Drainage Districts' tax levies
The commission opened a tax rate hearing at 10 a.m. for the county Drainage Districts to set the 2017 tax levies. There were no drainage district board members present or anyone from the general public.
County Clerk Joe Watson said no drainage districts had contacted him about any changes in the tax levies.
The commission voted 3-0 to set the 2017 tax levies for the respective drainage districts at the same rate as in 2016. Those rates are:
Drainage District No. 1, $1.50 per acre;
Drainage District No. 7, $1.00 per acre;
Drainage District No. 13, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 14, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 17, ten percent maintenance levy with a $10 minimum;
Drainage District No. 19, $2.50 per acre.
Title VI Program approved
Watson told the commission the county did not have a Title VI Policy in place which is required by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
The policy statement reads: "Stoddard County is committed to ensuring that the fundamental principles of equal opportunity are upheld in all decisions involving out employees and contractors/consultants, and ensuring residents, businesses and visitors to our county are afforded access to our programs and services."
The policy further states, "No person shall be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Stoddard County program of activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, income, sex, age, disability, or limited English proficiency."
With little discussion, the commission voted 3-0 to adopt the policy.
New assessor to be sworn in
Dan Creg was sworn in as the new Stoddard County Assessor on Aug. 31, and will take office Sept. 1. Creg was elected in August 2016. Assessor Jody Lemmon chose not to seek re-election and his last day was Sept. 31.