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Greenwood leaders weigh 2.5% local use tax for roads, warn voters may find wording confusing
Summary
City staff presented draft ballot language for an April 7, 2026 use-tax vote that would levy the same rate as the local sales tax (2.5%) to fund road and infrastructure projects; officials estimated roughly $200,000 annually but said the question’s statutorily required wording could confuse voters and will require outreach.
City staff presented a draft ballot question to place a local use tax on the April 7, 2026 municipal ballot to fund road improvements and other municipal needs.
"Tell the city of Greenwood, Missouri, to post a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate for the purpose of funding road improvements, infrastructure, capital improvements, and other municipal needs within the city," the draft reads, using statutorily required language the city must include, staff said.
The presenter said the city currently collects about $1 million in total sales tax across the local rates and estimated the new use tax could raise roughly $200,000 a year for Greenwood based on Missouri municipal averages. Staff cautioned the revenue is variable: a single large online purchase by a school or business can materially change receipts in a year.
Several aldermen and attendees urged the city to make the measure understandable to voters. One member said the statutory template makes the ballot question read like a sales tax and warned that some voters will oppose anything labeled a tax without clear explanation.
Officials discussed outreach plans: newsletter messaging, town halls and a dedicated page on the city website showing completed projects and how funds would be used. Staff noted the certification deadline to place the question on the ballot is January 26, 2026.
Why it matters: Board members framed the measure as a way to continue recent road projects and address a growing infrastructure backlog. Officials said the use tax would provide a dedicated funding mechanism to sustain street work and related capital projects if voters approve it.
What’s next: Staff said an ordinance to place the question on the ballot will appear at upcoming meetings so the council can act before the certification deadline. The board emphasized the need for clear, plain-language outreach so residents understand the tax’s purpose and how revenues will be reported.
