Saint Ann leaders advance ordinance to place local use tax on April ballot

The Board of Aldermen of Saint Ann moved forward on an ordinance to submit a ballot measure asking city voters on April 8, 2025, whether to impose a local use tax on purchases from out-of-state vendors at the same rate as the city’s local sales tax.

Supporters at the meeting and during public comment said the local use tax would “level the playing field” between brick-and-mortar retailers and online sellers who currently remit most use taxes to the state rather than to cities. One speaker said the change “ensures that businesses that are selling things to, Saint Ann, within the boundary of Saint Ann, pay the same, sales taxes as our businesses are required to,” and argued that local retailers are under pressure from online competition.

Why it matters: City officials and residents said revenue from local sales taxes funds parks and capital projects that could shrink if retail declines. A speaker noted the city’s 3-cent sales tax generated $109,900 in 2024 for Saint Ann; supporters argued capturing online-use tax revenue would help sustain the park fund and other local programs as in-store sales decline.

What the ordinance would do: The ordinance (Bill 3483) submitted at the meeting directs placing a ballot proposition before qualified voters on April 8, 2025, to permit the city to impose a local use tax on purchases from vendors outside Missouri at the same rate as the city’s local sales tax. The text read aloud at the meeting was: “An ordinance authorizing and directing the submission of a ballot proposition to the qualified voters of the city of Saint Ann, Missouri for the general municipal election to be held in the city on 04/08/2025 to consider the imposition of a local use tax on purchases from out of state vendors at the same rate as the local sales tax.”

Council action and votes: Councilmembers moved and seconded the ordinance for consideration. During roll call on advancing the ordinance, Councilmember Murphy and Councilmember Jones were recorded as voting yes. The motion was carried and the ordinance was advanced to be placed on the April ballot. (Exact vote totals beyond those named were not specified in the meeting record.)

Debate and concerns: Speakers at the meeting described the measure as a tool to help local businesses and park funding. At least one elected official said she had campaigned on avoiding tax increases for residents and expressed discomfort putting a tax question to voters even while acknowledging the reported revenue needs. Other speakers countered that without capturing use-tax growth, the city’s park fund and local retail base risk long-term decline.

Public comment: A resident who identified themselves as the city’s police chief spoke in favor of placing the measure on the ballot, saying it was important to “keep our community going” and that the measure would help maintain local services. Several residents and speakers also invoked examples—Big Lots and Menards were mentioned—of retail locations that struggled as shopping shifted online.

Next steps: With the ordinance advanced at first/second reading and the motion carried during the meeting, the city will include the proposition on the April 8, 2025 municipal election ballot and proceed with the scheduling and any voter education the county or city undertakes.

Votes at a glance

- Bill 3483: Ordinance to submit a ballot proposition to impose a local use tax equal to the city sales tax on out-of-state purchases, April 8, 2025 election — advanced (motion moved and seconded; Councilmember Murphy and Councilmember Jones recorded as voting yes; full roll call not specified).