Commissioners set hearing about possible use tax

As Cape Girardeau County has continued to discuss upgrading facilities, how to pay for them has remained a key question.

County commissioners have said a sales tax, property tax or use tax could be used to pay for improvements on existing buildings and construction of new ones.

On Tuesday morning, commissioners gathered during a special session to set a date for a public hearing to discuss putting a use-tax question on the April ballot. The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in the commission chambers, 1 Barton Square in Jackson. The filing deadline for items to appear on the April 7 ballot is 5 p.m. that day.

Last spring, the county -- along with the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson -- placed a use tax question on the ballot that ultimately failed.

A use tax can be levied on out-of-state purchases of titled vehicles, including automobiles, boats and other recreational vehicles, along with purchases of other "tangible personal property" as defined by state law. Consumers are required to file a use-tax return with the Missouri Department of Revenue only if their untaxed purchases from out-of-state vendors in a calendar year equal more than $2,000.

Associate Commissioner Charlie Herbst said if the county places the use tax issue on the ballot in April, its revenue would be designated for capital improvements projects in the county. This includes the facilities upgrade being considered.

A citizen advisory assembled early last year to analyze three options outlining the future of county facilities. At a public meeting in Cape Girardeau earlier this month, group members said they are leaning toward the final option, which calls for demolishing the administration building and building a new courthouse. Architects put the total cost of the plan at nearly $44 million, although commissioners said they are not interested in pursuing the $9 million jail addition in the plan.

The advisory group will host another public meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson, before it presents its final recommendation to commissioners Monday.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.