Downtown CID board meets, selects officers

The board of directors of the proposed Downtown Cape Girardeau Community Improvement District gathered for its first meeting Wednesday to discuss appointment of officers, adoption of bylaws and calling the elections for the property and sales tax that would be imposed within the district's boundaries.

The group gathered in a work session; no action was taken at the meeting.

Board members Lindy Lysell, Dave Hutson, James Stapleton, Daniel Statler and Jon K. Rust -- publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications -- were present. Members Sheila Saur and Kent Zickfield were absent.

Attending members reached a consensus to name Rust as chairman of the group. Hutson was named vice chairman; Lysell the secretary and treasurer; and Statler the assistant secretary and treasurer. Those nominations will be confirmed at the group's next meeting.

Another main topic at the meeting was the district's budget. Pending a vote by the board, the district's annual fiscal year would end June 30. Its funding ultimately depends on whether voters in the district's boundaries approve a half-cent sales tax and a $0.6708 property tax.

A tentative budget outlined for 2015 estimated the district would gather about $50,000. That number reflects the collection of only one quarter year of sales taxes; the Missouri Department of Revenue is responsible for the collection of sales taxes and requires a full quarter's notice before it can assess a tax. If voters approved the sales tax via mail-in ballot later this year, the tax could be assessed and collected by January 2015.

Because the vote to approve the taxes will not take place until the fall -- the board has not yet approved an exact date -- it would not allow enough time for the Cape Girardeau County clerk's office to certify the election results and notify all relevant entities of the newly approved property tax by the end of the year.

Should both taxes be approved by voters, the district will collect an estimated $250,000 per year by 2016, once the property and sales tax take full effect. Both taxes have a sunset of 20 years.

The $50,000 estimated budget for 2015 allocates the greatest portion of funding to items such as trash and litter pick up and security contracting. Clean, attractive and safe streets have long been among the top priorities touted by proponents of the CID.

The board will officially vote on each issue at its next meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 11 at Cape Girardeau City Hall.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.