Candidates say pooled sales tax critical to Wildwood budget; express concern over state changes

Candidates told attendees that the pooled county sales tax (often called "the pool") is a foundational revenue source for Wildwood and said proposals at the state level to remove certain food sales could substantially reduce receipts. Jason Bockert and others emphasized the city’s limited revenue tools—Wildwood has no property tax and relies heavily on its share of county pooled sales tax and a handful of other levies.

One speaker warned of a state effort that would reclassify grocery sales and divert roughly $775,000 (as discussed in the forum) away from the pool; the speaker described that figure as significant relative to city payroll obligations. "We have to be very cautious that we don't let Jeff City override the pool tax," a candidate said. Another candidate said Wildwood “definitely needs the pool tax” and that loss of those receipts would force drastic service cuts.

Why it matters: The pooled sales tax provides a major portion of local revenue used for public safety and city services. Changes at the state level could alter the calculation of pooled receipts and require the city to identify alternative revenue or cut services.

Details and context: Candidates urged careful review and management of pooled dollars and intermunicipal coordination with neighboring Chesterfield, which also depends on the same pool. They described the pool as distributed by population share and warned that removing food sales from pool calculations would reduce Wildwood’s share. No ordinance or formal council action was proposed at the forum; the discussion was framed as a policy concern to watch at the state legislature.