VIENNA — The City of Vienna will have a ballot question for city voters on the April 6 Municipal Election ballot as once again the city council is asking city voters to approve a sales tax to support public safety.

It is a half-cent sales tax that if approved will generate annual revenues of $55,000 to $59,000. In a message to Vienna residents, Mayor Tyler “TC” James said the half cent sales tax equates to an increase in sales tax of $0.50 per $100 of goods purchased at retail in Vienna. 

The city council members said a sales tax is the fairest way to generate revenue necessary to continue to provide adequate law enforcement service to Vienna’s citizens. The mayor said passage of this sales tax “means the financial burden of law enforcement coverage does not fall solely on city residents, but instead is aired by all who purchase goods inside city limits.” Motor vehicle and farm purchases are exempt from this sales tax. The tax can be repealed by a vote of city voters at any time during the tax period. 

Mayor James explained how Vienna has four operating funds with each one receiving revenues and paying expenses based on the city functions each fund supports. The city is required by law for each fund to be used only for expenses within the fund’s respective scope. 

Vienna’s funds are general revenue, streets, water, and sewer. The general revenue fund supports much of the city’s administrative costs, salaries, and services. This fund pays for park maintenance/construction, building maintenance, and monthly expenses such as heating and electric. This fund also includes the entire operating budget for the Vienna Police Department.

A special law was approved by the Missouri Legislature that allows the city to bring the half-cent sales tax measure to the city and it applies to cities with a population at or below 650 residents. This is important following a Census year as if the city’s population surpasses 650, the city no longer will be eligible to bring the measure before the voters.

Purchases the city wants to make for public safety purposes will be made with this additional sales tax revenue if voters approve the new sales tax. The city plans to purchase several mandatory police department equipment/computer software which are costly, and to shift the financial burden of several police department expenses away from the general revenue fund. The city will use the additional revenue to strengthen the Vienna PD.

The additional revenue will provide about $20,500 to $30,000 to replace and maintain or upgrade equipment. It will reduce the net operating police department expenses from the general revenue fund by about $30,000 to $50,000 annually. The additional revenue will allow the police department to offer competitive salaries, to attract and retain quality personnel, and maintain reserve funds for future cost of living adjustments. Police Chief Shannon Thompson said it will potentially increase the Vienna PD’s patrol by 2,000 or more hours per year. The new money will allow the Vienna PD to replace patrol cars when they are six years old instead of 10 and 12 years old, which will help reduce expensive repairs and maintenance. 

The city council members support the public safety sales tax. They stated it will free up currently earmarked police department funds for other city projects. This may include the much needed construction of a new concession stand and restrooms at the Vienna City Park.