BELLE — The city of Belle Board of Aldermen is requesting voters approve a half-cent general purpose sales tax on the Nov. 5 ballot that they say will be allocated to public safety improvements, including equipment purchases, additional personnel, and personnel expenses.

Public Safety Sales Tax Facts

• The half-cent sales tax will only be used to fund public safety needs, will not replace the public safety budget, and cannot be commingled with non-public safety City funds.

• If approved, the revenue from this public safety sales tax could exceed $80,000 annually, according to Alderman Kevin Guffey.

• From the city of Belle’s current 2 percent sales tax, it received $366,294 in revenue in 2023. If approved, the half-cent sales tax would go into effect immediately, as the board approved an emergency clause in the passage of Ordinance 638 outlining the purpose of the request.

• Anyone who shops in the city of Belle, both residents and non-residents, will pay this sales tax.

How Will This Affect the Tax Rate?

• If the half-cent tax rate is approved, the city’s portion of the sales tax rate will increase to 2.5 percent. In Maries County — Belle, the total rate will increase from 7.891 percent to 8.391 percent. Osage County — Belle’s total rate will increase from 8.475 percent to 8.975 percent.

How Does the Current Sales Tax Rate Compare With Surrounding Cities?

Maries County - Belle: 7.891 percent

Osage County - Belle: 8.475 percent

Vienna: 7.891 percent

Bland: 8.7 percent

Owensville: 9.1 percent

Bourbon: 9.975 percent

Cuba: 9.725 percent

Sullivan: 9.475 percent

General Purpose Sales Tax for Public Safety Sample Ballot Language for the City of Belle’s Nov. 5 Election

Proposition A

“Shall the city of Belle, Missouri, impose a sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of improving public safety?” Yes or No

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If approved by voters, when will the public safety sales tax go into effect?

A: Immediately.

Q: If approved, how could the City use the Public Safety Sales Tax?

A: The revenue would be used to fund public safety operations including but not limited to:

Equipment purchases

Additional personnel

Personnel expenses

Q: How much extra revenue will this half-cent public safety sales tax generate?

A: The revenue could be an additional $80,000 annually, according to the Belle Board of Aldermen.

Q: Where do the funds go and who controls the way funds are spent?

A: The funds go in general revenue and the board will control the way funds are spent.

Q: Who will pay this sales tax?

A: Everyone who shops in the city of Belle, both residents and non-residents.

Q: How will this affect the City’s sales tax rate and how does it compare to neighboring cities?

A: If approved, the city’s sales tax rate of 7.891 percent in Maries County would increase to 8.391 percent — and Osage County Belle sales tax of 8.475 percent will increase to 8.975 percent as soon as paperwork is filed with the Department of Revenue.

Q: How much will the half-cent sales tax cost a city of Belle shopper?

A: On a $10 meal - an additional five cents.

A: An additional 25 cents to a $50 purchase at a local shop.

A: An additional $2 on a $400 parts bill.

Q: How would a public safety sales tax affect current funding for public safety?

A: Ordinance 638 says the tax will only be used to fund public safety needs such as equipment, additional staff and personnel expenses for the police department. Alderman Steve Vogt said the tax will not replace the city’s public safety budget. Tax revenue cannot be commingled with non-public safety City funds.

Belle Public Safety Wish List

During an Oct. 28 presentation about the half-cent general purpose sales tax for public safety by Belle Police Sgt. Mark Morgan, additional projects, equipment and personnel for the BPD were outlined:

Additions to the Belle Police Department’s office were outlined as an upgrade. The projects may include:

• Building a small lobby inside the police department to allow 24-hour walk-ins with a phone line that connects directly to Gasconade County Dispatch.

• Car cameras for patrol cars (estimated cost $5,000 per car).

• Portable radios (estimated cost $5,000 each).

• Part-time officer (estimated $30,000 per employee).

• Training opportunities

Q: When to vote on this proposition?

A: Nov. 5, 2024