Belton council sends measure to April ballot to remove sunset on 0.25% fire sales tax

The Belton City Council voted unanimously to approve the second reading of Bill 2025-4, sending to the April 8, 2025, general municipal election a ballot measure that would remove the 20-year termination provision on the city's 0.25% sales tax dedicated to fire and emergency services.

The measure would "eliminate the termination provision and continue the imposition" of the quarter-cent sales tax, pursuant to section 94-510 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri, and direct the city clerk to provide notice of the election, according to the ordinance text read at the meeting.

City Manager (unnamed) told the council the tax has generated roughly $1.7 million in recent years and is on track to raise about that amount next year; he said that revenue accounts for about 20% of the fire department's budget. "We're talking about . . . generate over $1,700,000 for next year. That is about 20% of the fire department's budget," the City Manager said. He also said that if the tax were allowed to expire, "probably 15 to 17 positions would have to be cut." The manager said the tax in question was originally passed by voters in April 2006 with a 20-year sunset to fund a second fire station.

Council members and staff discussed timing and costs. The City Manager said the county requires ballot language and notice by 5 p.m. on the January 28 deadline and that the council's regularly scheduled January 28 meeting is at 6 p.m., which would miss the county cutoff. He said holding a city-only special election would require the city to bear the full cost, which the county estimated at about $34,000 to $35,000, whereas placing the question on the April county-run ballot spreads costs among participating entities.

Members debated whether to place a no-sunset question on the ballot or to retain a sunset provision and return later to seek renewal. The manager said city legal counsel advised against presenting competing ballot questions on the same issue because of potential voter confusion and legal questions. Council members noted that other local sales taxes approved in prior years no longer carry sunsets and that removing the sunset could provide stability for recruitment and retention in the fire department.

On voice votes and a final roll call, every council member present voted in favor. During the roll call on the second reading the record shows Council member Richardson, Thompson, Bridal, Davidson, Johnson, White, Lawson, McCallum and Mayor Larkey voting "aye." The motion carried.

The ordinance directs that the question be placed on the April 8, 2025, ballot. No additional ordinance numbers beyond "Bill 2025-4" were specified at the meeting. The city clerk will provide formal notice to the county as required.