Voters approve vehicle tax, deny use tax in Cape, Jackson

Cape Girardeau and Jackson voters rendered a split decision Tuesday on two tax issues, approving an existing tax and rejecting a new use tax.

Voters in both towns agreed to retain existing sales taxes on the purchase of out-of-state vehicles. But they rejected enacting a use tax in each city on other out-of-state purchases.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger and Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs said it is clear voters don’t want a use tax. Residents in the two cities have now defeated proposed use taxes twice since 2014.

Rediger and Hahs said they were disappointed the use tax did not pass.

“They said no on the use tax. We will respect that and move on,” Rediger said. “I think the citizens have spoken.”

Both mayors said they were pleased voters retained the existing vehicle sales tax.

The vehicle tax generates about $100,000 annually for Jackson and about $200,000 annually for Cape Girardeau. Both mayors said the tax would have expired without voter approval.

Hahs said voters “saw two different issues and voted on them that way.”

Cape Girardeau voters approved the vehicle-sales-tax measure by a vote of 1,606 to 1,247. By a similar margin, voters rejected the proposed use tax by a vote of 1,626 to 1,236. More than 56 percent of voters who went to the polls in Cape Girardeau on Tuesday approved the vehicle-tax measure and rejected the use tax.

Jackson voters approved the vehicle tax by a vote of 990 to 678, but turned down the use tax by a vote of 932 to 761.

Cape Girardeau and Jackson city officials had promised to hire more police officers if the use tax passed.

“I think public safety is important,” Hahs said, adding city officials will continue to look at future public-safety needs.

Defeat of the use tax means Cape Girardeau city government will not be able to hire more police officers at this time.

The city also will be unable to make needed improvements to athletic fields at Shawnee Park and won’t be able to reduce the business-license fee paid by small businesses.

Rediger said Tuesday’s outcome demonstrates voters “feel our police department is staffed right.”

A Cape Girardeau County anti-tax group campaigned against the tax measures, arguing both cities needed to do a better job of spending the revenue they have.

“I am just glad the citizens of Cape Girardeau and Jackson have decided to hold their elected officials accountable and rein in spending,” said Debra Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the “No MO Tax” group.

At the polls earlier Tuesday, a number of Cape Girardeau and Jackson residents expressed an anti-tax sentiment.

Ruth VanZee of Jackson said she voted against the tax measures because she is on a fixed income. She said she can’t afford to pay more taxes.

Voter Wayne Sarno also opposed the tax measures.

“I am getting so sick of taxes,” he said. “They never stop. Give us a break.”

But other Jackson residents, who cast their ballots at the Elks Lodge polling place, said they voted for the tax issues. One woman, who would not give her name, said she voted “yes” to “help our police department.”

One tax supporter said he voted “yes” on the two measures to support Jackson city government. He declined to give his name, but acknowledged he is a friend of the Jackson mayor.

Fellow voter Bill Ramsey said he voted against the Jackson tax issues. He said the city doesn’t need to spend money on hiring more police officers.

At the Arena Building polling place in Cape Girardeau, some voters readily rejected the tax issues.

Thelma Annis said, “I voted against it because we already are taxed to the hilt.”

Cape Girardeau resident Samuel Bailey said he voted against the use-tax measures.

“I don’t like taxes,” he said.

He said the city has done a poor job of maintaining city streets, including roads in his residential neighborhood.

He questioned the wisdom of giving more money to city government.

“What are you doing with the money you already got?” he asked.

But fellow voter and former mayor Jay Knudtson said he voted for the tax issues “to ensure business and money stay in our community.”

In the end, however, there were not enough positive votes.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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