Commissioners suggest drop to 1/4 cent
The Platte County Commission this week announced a plan to ask voters to renew the countywide roads sales tax. The commission proposed to lower the sales tax rate from 3/8 to 1/4 of a cent.
However, the commission did not take a final vote to put the issue on the ballot at their meeting this week.
Second District Commissioner Joe Vanover said, “Twenty years ago the county had a large number of bridges that needed to be replaced. It took a huge amount of money over many years to get that done. Now that we are down to the last few bridges, we can reduce the amount of money collected.”
The commission has proposed to keep distribution of tax funds to other governmental entities substantially the same.
“Cities and road districts will continue to get about the same amount of funding after the tax is reduced because we do not need to set aside a large capital projects fund to replace a bunch of bridges,” Vanover said.
The proposed ballot language is:
“Shall the County of Platte renew the countywide sales tax for the use of transportation-related projects, including, but not limited to, roads, bridges, drainage structures, and sidewalks, at the rate of one fourth of one percent for a period of ten years from the date on which such tax will expire?”
Vanover added, “This proposal is tentative. We welcome comments from cities, road districts, and the public on the proposal. We hope to make a final decision about the level of the tax (at a commission meeting) on Aug. 22.
Vanover added that “the voters will have the ultimate decision in November.”
Public comments on the commission’s proposal can be emailed to roadssalestax@co.platte.mo.us.
Vanover explained, “Since 2013, approximately 36% of funds collected from this sales tax have been set aside for bridge replacements and major capital projects. The current commission proposal calls for 10% of revenue to be allocated to a county-wide capital projects reserve fund. The remaining funds will be split between cities and unincorporated areas based on population levels shown in the 2020 census and current road miles.”