Trenton eyes local use tax initiative

TRENTON, MO — The Trenton City Council has agreed to work with the county concerning the possibility of placing a local use tax initiative on the ballot. During a meeting on Monday night, council members asked that an ordinance be drawn up to place the issue before voters, but will talk with the county about coordinating those efforts for the benefit of both entities. Community Planner Ralph Boots said the council has discussed the possibility, but so far has taken no action. During discussion by council members, it was noted that some 41 counties and over 90 cities in the state have a local use tax, including Brookfield, Gallatin and Pattonsburg. The local use tax provision allows entities to collect tax on items that are currently being purchased outside of Missouri and are taxed by the states and communities in which those items are bought. That money then stays there. With the use tax, the tax paid would be based on the tax structure of the local entity and would come back to those entities. No specific date was determined as to when the tax may be placed on the ballot, however, the council did discuss the possibility of putting the issue before voters in April.