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Clayton adopts 0.25 cent sales‑tax increase for fire operations, effective Aug. 1
Summary
Following an April 8 voter approval, the Board adopted ordinance bill 7069 to raise the city sales tax for fire department operations from 0.25% to 0.5%, effective Aug. 1, 2025; the measure passed unanimously.
The City of Clayton Board of Aldermen adopted an ordinance on May 27 implementing a voter‑approved sales tax increase to support Clayton Fire Department operations.
City Manager David Gibson told the board that on April 8 a majority of voters approved "a 1 quarter of 1¢ sales tax increase for the operations of the Clayton Fire Department from 1 quarter percent to point 5%." The ordinance implementing that voter approval was introduced and adopted as bill number 7069, with members voting aye: Alderman Patel, Alderman Fader, Alderman York and Mayor McAndrew.
Staff said the tax will apply to all retail sales made within the city subject to taxation and that the ordinance corrects non‑substantive language from the draft. The new tax rate will take effect Aug. 1, 2025, if the ordinance is recorded as presented. The city attorney distributed a revised copy of the ordinance to the board before the vote to reflect the changes.
Board members asked whether utilities were affected by the change. City staff clarified that the current language follows a 2014 amendment that excludes taxation of certain utilities; the city already levies a separate gross receipts tax on utilities and the sales tax change was not intended to alter that structure.
The board gave unanimous consent to consider the ordinance the day of introduction and then voted in favor on the bill’s reading in consideration for adoption. No amendments were offered on the floor at adoption.
