Tiny village considering sales tax to ensure survival

KIRBYVILLE, Mo. -- The future of this tiny village in southwest Missouri may be decided on Tuesday, when its 93 registered voters decide whether to approve a 1-cent sales tax.

The historic town incorporated in 2001. And supporters of the tax say if the vote fails, the village could cease to exist as a political entity. The only revenue now is about $1,600 a year from state gasoline taxes, and those funds can be used only for road improvements, said James Strahan, the Taney County's assessor who helped the town incorporate.

The sales tax would raise an estimated $15,000 a year for the village of 110 residents.

"I don't see an unincorporation happening, but it is a possibility," Strahan said.

Some residents thought the town had been incorporated long ago, but Strahan found no records of it. The village incorporated in part to protect it from being annexed by Hollister, although Hollister city officials say they have no interest in doing so.

A property tax is not under consideration.

"When we incorporated, it was kind of an unofficial statement that we wouldn't ever generate a property tax against the village residents," Strahan said.

City Clerk Amy Chamberlin said even the cost of elections to fill the five board of trustees positions are more than the city can afford. The special election will cost about $800 and April's municipal election will cost about $500.

Strahan said the community needs simple things.

"The state highway department was nice enough to post speed limits for us, but if we want to do any more signs, we have to pay for it," Strahan said.

To make ends meet, the village has held fund raisers, but "you hate to go back and ask the same people time and time again for donations," Strahan said.

One resident, Virgil Dickey, said he's generally against tax increases.

"But," he said, "my personal opinion is I would like it to remain a village so we don't get swallowed up by Hollister or someone."

Karen Rackers and a partner opened The Coffee House Etc. in Kirbyville in April 2003. She serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and recently opened an addition that provides 22 indoor seats.

She supports the sales tax.

"Kirbyville needs that money," Rackers said. "And in Kirbyville, at least you'll know where it's going."

Kirbyville, which was established in 1869, was the largest town in Taney County long before Branson was founded in 1903.

The town was named for William Kirby, who established the post office about 1879. In it's early days, the town had a population estimated at 800, with a two-story schoolhouse, a Masonic lodge, a hotel, drugstores, two doctors' offices, a livery barn, blacksmith shop and cotton gin.

The decline of Kirbyville began when the Missouri Pacific Railroad decided to go through Branson, said Hartman.

Hartman supported the incorporation of Kirbyville to ensure that the town would not disappear.

"If you don't have a past, you're not going to have much of a future," Hartman said.