Columbia City Council rejects tax holiday, discusses pedestrian safety

The council said the tax would not benefit the city's economy.

By Ryan Schmitz

Published Feb. 3, 2009

The Columbia City Council met Monday to discuss changes to two intersections at Providence Road as well as a weeklong sales tax holiday in April for appliances certified as environmentally friendly.

Since the tax holiday would not have a positive economic impact, the city's staff does not support the measure, City Manager Bill Watkins said.

Fourth Ward Councilman Jerry Wade said tax holidays are bad policy.

"I think the city ought to support energy efficiency anyway, not just for one week each year," he said.

Mayor Darwin Hindman said though he supports tax credits, he does not support the tax holiday.

"I don't think the federal or state governments should tell us how to manage our sales taxes, since we depend on those funds more than the others," he said.

From April 19-25, the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday would eliminate the sales tax on washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners and other appliances priced less than $1,500 that meet certain environmental guidelines.

Already adopted by the Missouri General Assembly, the proposal allows cities to apply the holiday to their local sales.

"The counties will take a vote to decide if they will participate in the project," Missouri Department of Revenue spokesman Ted Farnen said. "This helps people save money in the short run with a lower price, and in the long run with more efficient, longer-lasting appliances."

Several states, including Vermont, South Carolina, Connecticut and Florida, have passed similar sales tax holidays in recent years in an effort to improve energy efficiency and motivate citizens to use environmentally friendly appliances. The problem this presents is green merchandise is often more expensive, and consumers are less willing to spend more money.

"A few other states have adopted green tax incentives in the last few years," said Bert Waisanen, National Conference of State Legislatures fiscal analyst. "Their goal is to promote their state's interest in renewable energy. Many states are interested in energy-efficient products, the question is how much incentive can they provide to their customers to buy green products."

The council also discussed proposed changes to the non-motorized intersections of Providence Road with Business Loop 70 and Green Meadows Road, in order to improve pedestrian access to the area. The second crossing is used daily by students at Hickman High School, the largest high school in Columbia.

"This will certainly go a long way in improving the safety of our students as they cross Providence Road," said Preston Bass, Columbia Public Schools safety and security coordinator. "I know that I speak for parents and students at Hickman, as well as pedestrians and motorists, when I urge you to pass this measure."

The council decided to consider the item in a regularly scheduled public hearing at a later date.

GetAbout Columbia, a program advocating easy transportation in the city, requested a $22 million grant to improve pedestrian movement.

A public hearing concerning the rebuilding of a bridge over Hinkson Creek near Reactor Park also took place at the meeting.

Council members unanimously approved the project, and construction will begin later this year.

In a blanket motion, the council approved several items introduced at prior meetings, including an agreement with Boone County for public health services. Before hearing various reports from departments and groups, the council postponed discussing construction of a pedestrian bridge on William Street near the Boone Hospital Center, which it would have to authorize with a right of use permit.