The Ferguson City Council voted 4-3 to repeal the municipal requirement that board and commission members have paid their real estate and personal-property taxes by a set date as a condition of service.
The bill (referred to as Bill 73-13 at the meeting) removes a February deadline that had been used to suspend or remove volunteers who had not paid taxes on time. Councilman Jamelle Franklin, the bill's sponsor, said the change would broaden volunteer participation. "Moving forward, residents that want to volunteer to serve the city boards and commissions, there would be no more city oversight as to whether or not your personal property or real estate taxes are paid in full," Franklin said.
Opponents said the rule supports civic responsibility and helps protect revenue that funds local services. One council member who opposed the repeal, identified in the meeting as Councilman Kasoff, said the requirement has been in the Ferguson City Charter since 1985 and warned that unpaid taxes contribute to school-district shortfalls. He said, "I believe it's important that we pay our taxes, and so I oppose this bill."
Supporters said the rule discouraged volunteers, particularly renters and lower-income residents, from serving. Councilman Tripling argued that the requirement's insertion in the charter reflected past demographics and that modern Ferguson, where many residents rent, should be more inclusive.
The roll call produced four ayes (Councilman Williams, Councilwoman Nikkita Noah, Mayor Jones and Councilman Franklin) and three nays (Councilman Palmer, Councilwoman Covington and Councilman Kasoff), and the ordinance passed. No immediate implementation changes were required other than updating the application process for boards and commissions.