County asks voters to trade one tax for another

The county commission emphasizes that a ballot question on taxes will not raise your taxes. Instead, the Howell County Commission hopes voters will approve a different tax, and repeal the old one, to have more options for how to spend the revenue. Howell County voters will decide on April 7 whether to replace a half-cent capital improvement tax with a half-cent sales tax.

 

Both taxes are a sales tax on goods sold in Howell County, Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs confirmed, but the capital improvement tax was implemented in 2017 with restrictions on how the county can spend the revenue. 

 

Today, the revenue, as restricted, no longer meets the county’s needs, they say. The change would allow, “greater flexibility in addressing road improvements,” according to a release from the commission.

 

“Since 2017 equipment and labor costs have risen around 70% while gravel and rock costs have increased about 40%. This leads to a situation where the County is able to purchase more road materials than they have equipment and manpower to apply and maintain,” the release continues.

 

“Revenue generated from the current capital improvement tax can only be used for gravel and culverts on county roads, as well as contracting for road improvements.”

 

According to the ballot language, taxpayer money raised from the replacement sales tax must still be spent on roads and bridges. With a yes vote, the commissioners will be able to spend the revenue, for, “the purpose of maintaining, constructing, and improving county-maintained roads and bridges.”

 

In 2025, the existing capital use tax generated $3,715,500.44, Riggs told Howell County News via email. 

 

“If approved by voters, the capital improvement tax will go away and be replaced by a ½ cent sales tax on goods sold in Howell County. Therefore, it would be a revenue-neutral change,” Riggs wrote. 

 

If approved by voters, the new sales tax would take effect in October 2026 following the repeal of the current capital improvement tax.  

 

For questions or more information, contact Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs at 417-256-3872 or email at rriggs@howellcountymo.gov

 

To submit your opinion to the Howell County News opinion page, email editor@howellcountynews.com.