Our Economy Is Changing and We Need To Protect Our Local Community
Businesses have found a way around paying their fair share by ordering products from out of state and avoiding local sales taxes. When businesses are able to avoid St. Charles sales taxes by buying out-of-state, local businesses — which are required to collect these local sales taxes — are at a competitive disadvantage. The use tax levels the playing field of our local businesses. By purchasing materials from out-of-state or online, businesses avoid contributing to the funding of essential public services, such as public safety and public works, that will be relied upon once their projects are finished. This results in less money for the city to invest in local and neighborhood initiatives. As the economy changes, sales tax revenue in many Missouri cities is decreasing. However, many cities are able to compensate for this loss by generating revenue from a use tax. This helps to provide funding for essential city services without increasing your sales or property taxes.
Prop 7 would allow the City of Saint Charles to collect a use tax.