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Committee discusses short-notice Senate Bill 57, which would exempt food sales from municipal sales tax
Summary
Committee members discussed Senate Bill 57, a state measure that would eliminate municipal sales tax on food; staff warned the proposal could cost Wildwood roughly $760,000 annually and encouraged council members to contact state legislators.
Committee members discussed a state bill, Senate Bill 57, that would exempt food sales from municipal sales tax. Council Member Mabry raised the item under miscellaneous business as an urgent state-level matter to be debated the following day in Jefferson City.
Mr. Lee and other staff said the Missouri Municipal League and city staff were monitoring the proposal; the department estimated Wildwood could lose roughly $760,000 in annual revenue if the municipal sales tax on food were eliminated. Committee members discussed responses including sending emails or calls to state legislators and possibly sending a delegation to Jefferson City. The mayor and city staff were already coordinating outreach; the department said the mayor had asked whether any council members could travel to the capital, and Mr. Silverman would represent the city in person.
Committee members noted that SNAP and WIC purchases are already exempt from local taxes and that exempting food sales statewide would not necessarily target the households most affected by food insecurity. The committee urged prompt contact with legislators and suggested members could email or call state Senator Gregory and Representative Sparks to register Wildwood's concerns before the floor session.
No formal committee motion was made; staff and at least one elected official planned outreach to state lawmakers on the proposed bill.
