Board of Aldermen Approves First Reading of Sales Tax Bill

On Monday night, the Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of a bill that would take the issue of a new sales tax to the voters in April.

The two-tenths of one cent tax would fund stormwater improvements, with any extra funds going to parks improvements.

This solution to funding stormwater improvements was first brought up at the Nov. 21 joint work session. At that meeting, Ward 3 Alderman George Rich requested a discussion of the "big picture" financial needs of stormwater improvements and street repairs.

Ward 3 Alderman John Pellerito said, "Nobody wants sales tax increases. I understand the problems with the streets and stormwater. The easiest on everybody’s pocketbooks would be to bring the property tax levy up where it should be . . . We can accomplish this without putting a burden on the people."

"If they vote it down, they vote it down," Rich replied. Ward 1 Alderman Ralph Sidebottom commented that the tax would bring revenue from outside the city, also, since the city's businesses attract shoppers from other areas.

Ward 1 Alderman Larry DeGroodt asked about the costs of putting the matter on the April ballot. Once he was assured that the cost to add another issue to the April ballot wasn't going to be significant, DeGroodt said, "Let 'em vote."

Ward 2 Alderman Karen Vennard agreed. "I hate taxes. But let the people decide."

The second reading of the bill is scheduled for the next board of aldermen meeting on Dec. 19.