City Of Bourbon Putting Use Tax On Ballot

City of Bourbon voters will decide on whether the city should implement a use tax.

The use tax will go on the April ballot.

Use taxes are a sales tax on purchases made outside out of one’s state of residence.

Use taxes have been introduced as a way for municipalities to generate revenue on items purchased out of state and try to keep spending done locally.

Proponents of use taxes argue that it assists local businesses that are at a disadvantage.

It has been met with mixed results locally.

The city of Sullivan attempted a use tax in April 2018 and the proposition was soundly beaten.

The city of Union made an attempt at a use tax in April 2018 and June 2020, proposing a 2% tax on goods purchased online and in catalogues from companies with a physical presence outside of Missouri.

It failed badly both times.

While Sullivan and Union have been unable to convince their voters, Washington, Rolla and St. James have had success.

In 2019, Rolla and St. James voters approved the propositions for their respective cities.

Rolla’s Proposition PS uses the use tax for municipal public safety operations.

Voters approved Rolla’s proposition with 55% of the vote.

St. James voters narrowly approved passage of the use tax, with 182 voting yes and 163 voting no.

The tax operates the cit’s no-kill animal shelter.

More than 200 municipalities in Missouri have use taxes and some counties as well.

In early 2021, Franklin County discussed a use tax that would go towards 911 services, according to the Washington Missourian.

A use tax attempt was put on the April 2014 ballot and voters crushed it, with 60% opposing.

The same year that Rolla and St. James voters approved the use tax in their cities, Phelps County voters rejected a countywide use tax.