Trenton voters will get a chance to decide whether or not to discontinue collecting sales tax on certain items purchased outside of Missouri which, if approved, could cost the city several thousand dollars in revenue.
During Monday night’s Trenton City Council meeting, members unanimously agreed to put an issue on the April 7 ballot regarding the collection of sales tax on the titling of motor vehicles, boats, outboard motors and trailers that were purchased from a source other than a Missouri licensed dealer. It is similar to a proposal to be voted on countywide, also on April 7. A state law requires that entities have until November 2016 to consider such an proposal and if the issue is not defeated, the sales tax collection would automatically be stopped.
It was noted by City Administrator Kerry Sampson that voters should cast a no vote on the issue, thus allowing the city to continue collecting the tax on those items specified in the proposal. Money from that tax goes into the general fund for various city services.
The council approved three other ordinances on a unanimous vote, two involving a water line easement to the city industrial park as well as a right of way easement, also in the industrial park. A water line is being expanded to the park for future development in the area. Trenching on the water line is anticipated to begin today, with the laying of the line to take place soon. Plans call for MC Power of Lee’s Summit to begin construction on the solar power farm in mid- to late-February.
The third ordinance amended a lease-purchase agreement between the city and Home Exchange Bank, which is providing funds to the city for the purchase of the water line project materials. The amendment allows for early payments to be made by the city without a penalty, an agreement reached by the two entities but omitted from the original document.
The council gave its backing to a net metering policy previously approved by the Board of Public Works. The policy outlines the procedures to be followed by both TMU and customers who connect to the TMU electric system but use other sources of energy, including solar, wind, biomass, etc. Under the policy, customers put energy that they do not use back into the TMU system. TMU has its first net metering customer, who will go online once the required meter is installed. More information about net metering is available by contacting TMU Utility Director Chad Davis.
There was a brief discussion regarding a review of electric rates, which is also on the agenda of tonight’s BPW meeting. BPW Chairman Robert Day said the board is collecting additional information regarding the winter rate charges so that a “more informed” decision can be made as to any changes that might be made regarding the new rates, which went into effect in 2014. He said the board wants to make those decisions before a planned increase in rates takes place in June of this year.
The council heard several reports, including:
• Work continues on replacement of the 17th Street Bridge. Sampson said several funding options are being explored. Sampson said it is hoped that the bridge project can begin sometime in early 2016.
• The police department will host a women’s self-defense and survival awareness class on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $25, which includes lunch. A “Server Training” class for businesses and their employees who sell/serve alcohol and/or tobacco in their establishments will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26 at Cross Hall from 1 to 3 p.m.
The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9.
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