Smithville aldermen approve sales tax ballot language and pass budget amendment

Smithville aldermen voted to place ballot language for a half-percent public safety sales tax before voters and approved a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment at their recent meeting.

Alderman Atkins moved to approve bill 3052-25, described in the meeting as an ordinance "imposing a sales tax for public safety purposes at the rate of one half of 1% pursuant to section 94.903 RSMo and providing for submission of the proposal to the qualified voters of the city for their approval at the April" (date not specified in the transcript). The motion passed 4-1. Alderman Russell cast the lone no vote. During roll call, Aldermen Kabilski, Atkins, Wilson and Shipley voted yes; Russell voted no.

The council also approved bill 3053-25, an emergency ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 operating budget to add $34,131.33 to the general fund expenditures and $156,000 to the transportation sales tax fund. That ordinance passed unanimously, 5-0, on its readings.

Why it matters: the sales tax language, if approved by voters, would allow the city to collect a dedicated half-percent local sales tax to fund public safety purposes. The budget amendment increases spending authority in two funds to cover current needs identified by staff.

Discussion and public comment: Alderman Kabilski asked Alderman Russell to clarify his no vote on the sales-tax language. Russell said his opposition "isn't necessarily to the language... it's the position we have to have a half cent sales tax when we don't necessarily have to vote for the tax." The exchange focused on whether taking the language to voters implied a commitment to adopt the tax.

During public comment, resident Christine Bunch of 402 Fourth Terrace asked for clearer wording in the ballot materials and for more detail about the proposed allocation. Bunch said the proposal's use of the word "recommended" left implementation uncertain: "recommended doesn't necessarily have to be done," she told the council. She also said prior language had mentioned a 25-year period and that the current text omits that reference; the transcript does not show a city response clarifying the omission.

Bunch also raised questions about the city—s South Overlay District planning work, saying parcel maps and consultant work (Snyder and Associates was mentioned in public comments) appeared to target land the city does not own. The mayor and staff directed members of the public to follow up with staff member Jack for more detail.

Procedure and scheduling: At the meeting the council also adjusted its February schedule. Staff recommended canceling the Feb. 4 meeting and moving the Feb. 18 meeting to Feb. 20 with a 7:00 p.m. work session for a finance/budget update to allow staff additional preparation time.

Votes at a glance: Bill 3052-25 (public safety sales tax ballot language) —Outcome: approved 4-1; Yes: Aldermen Kabilski, Atkins, Wilson, Shipley; No: Alderman Russell. Submission to voters in April noted in the ordinance; exact April ballot date not specified in the transcript. Bill 3053-25 (FY2025 budget amendment #4) —Outcome: approved 5-0; adds $34,131.33 to general fund expenditures and $156,000 to the transportation sales tax fund.

The meeting record does not show additional formal directions to staff related to the sales tax language beyond the ordinance readings and scheduling changes. Public questions about the overlay district and the duration or allocation of sales-tax proceeds were noted but not resolved in the meeting record.