During council comments Dec. 2 the Washington City Council discussed the future of two local sales taxes that fund capital projects: the capital improvement sales tax, which council members said expires in 2026, and the half‑cent transportation sales tax, which the city indicated expires in 2030.

City staff told the council the transportation sales tax generates about $2,800,000 annually and that most of the city’s planned transportation improvements are funded through 2030. Staff said the city is preparing preliminary cost estimates for major projects including widening Highway 100 from High Street to Voss Spring Drive and improvements to Highway 47, and that MoDOT typically participates in a roughly 50/50 cost share for such projects.

Council members asked about timing and whether the two taxes could be renewed together. Staff said the city could consider presenting renewals simultaneously (for example in 2026) but noted it might be preferable to stagger the measures to avoid asking the public for two overlapping renewals; staff also cautioned that the city may need a multi‑year lead time (about three years) to assemble grant applications, local match estimates, and a campaign committee for a transportation renewal.

Discussion points included:

- The transportation sales tax has funded local street maintenance and larger projects; staff said without renewal the city would have fewer local matching funds for federal grants and could be forced to defer projects or reduce the scope/quality of street resurfacing work.

- The capital improvement sales tax funds projects that voters expect to see delivered; staff and council members said a citizen committee typically meets in summer to vet and recommend projects before the council votes whether to place a renewal on the ballot.

- Staff suggested the city could aim for an April municipal ballot when municipal turnout is expected, and that the city’s timeline and project estimates will determine whether the transportation renewal should be placed on the April 2026 ballot or delayed to 2027 to allow more preparation.

No formal motion was made to place a measure on a ballot at this meeting; council members directed staff to continue cost‑estimate work and to develop a project list and calendar for possible future committee review and voter consideration.