August 6, Public Safety Sales Tax Question
On August 6, 2024, voters of the City of Odessa, Missouri, will be asked to consider establishing a half-cent public safety sales tax that would improve funding for a new police facility, staffing levels, safety, recruitment, and retention.
 | Public Safety Sales Tax Fast Facts
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How Will This Affect the City's Sales Tax Rate?If the half-cent sales tax is approved, the City's sales tax rate of 8.475% would increase to 8.975%. | Public Safety Sales Tax Ballot Language |
Frequently Asked Questions
If approved by voters, when will the public safety sales tax go into effect?
January 1, 2025
If approved, how could the City use the Public Safety Sales Tax?
The revenue would be used to fund public safety operations including but not limited to:
- Construction of a new police facility
- Staffing and safety improvements
- Recruitment and retention of police staff
How much extra revenue will this half-cent public safety sales tax generate?
The revenue could exceed $315,000 annually.
Who will pay this sales tax?
Everyone that shops in the City of Odessa, both residents and non-residents.
How will this affect the City’s sales tax rate and how does it compare to neighboring cities?
If approved, the City’s sales tax rate of 8.475% (as of October 1, 2024, once the Lafayette County Children's Services Fund tax goes into effect) would increase to 8.975% on January 1, 2025. In comparison, Lexington and Higginsville are both at 8.475% (as of October 1, 2024), Oak Grove is at 8.725%, and Warrensburg is 9.475%. Additional city comparisons can be found in the chart above.
How much more will this half-cent sales tax cost an Odessa shopper?
How would a public safety sales tax affect current funding for public safety?
The tax will only be used to fund public safety needs, will not replace the city’s public safety budget, and cannot be commingled with non-public safety City funds.
When do I vote on this proposition?
August 6, 2024
