BELLE — Belle aldermen believe Proposition A, a city-proposed general-purpose half-cent sales tax slotted for public safety, will bring in an additional $80,000 in revenue.

The city received $366,294.88 in sales tax for fiscal year 2023-24.

The current sales tax rate in Maries County - Belle is a total of 7.891 percent, which includes 4.225 percent to the state; 1.666 percent to Maries County; and an even two percent to the city.

The total sales tax rate in Osage County Belle is 8.4750 percent, which includes 4.225 percent to the state; 2.25 percent to Osage County; and 2 percent to the city of Belle.

Anyone who shops in the city of Belle will pay sales tax.

Aldermen were unable to explain how they calculated the expected increase.

According to the Belle Police Department’s July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024, city budget report, the department had $222,983.96 in income and $191,021.96 in expenses. However, Alderman Steve Vogt said on Sept. 26 that the numbers were precise for the 2023-24 fiscal year, but didn’t necessarily reflect the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“The former council established that budget,” Vogt said. “We are trying to make all funds accountable, what we’re paying versus what we are taking in. We are trying to get accountability, where they are working, and where their hours are allocated.”

Vogt said he was not speaking on behalf of the board regarding the proposed general-purpose tax, but giving his own opinion.

The 2023-24 budget was created last summer under existing board members Jeanette Struemph, James (Pudd) Mitchell and Barb Howarth. Vogt and Alderman Kevin Guffey took office in April 2024.

“The numbers (from July) are actual numbers, but we expect a lot of that to change as we go and get things where they belong,” Vogt said. “The police budget was all messed up. They just paid for things where they thought they wanted to pay for them. We are trying to get things in line.”

Vogt said the board is trying to “get things in line.”

“We’re trying to get salaries and things where they belong and things where they should be,” he said. “In a way, you can take the first two months of this fiscal year and multiply it by 12 (for a more realistic number.”

Vogt said the police department had a monthly income of $18,805 in July 2024 and again in August 2024 for a total year-to-date income of $36,738.59. By these numbers, Belle Police Department’s 2024-25 budgeted income should be around $225,660 — $2,679.04 more than the 2023-24 fiscal year. However, the department has a $239,840 planned budget, meaning it needs that much to balance.

“We are expecting an income and expense total of $239,840,” Vogt said. “We’ve taken in about 15 percent ($35,976) and expended about 22 percent ($52,764) in July and August.”

The police department has traditionally operated in the negative.

“It’s always been in the hole,” Vogt said. “It’s always been a short-fall. By how much? That’s going to be determined as we get our budget figures. We are confident the half-cent sales will take us toward that. Nobody is saying it’s going to be a solution by itself. Things have to be changed or reallocated.”

He added the police department isn’t the only city fund operating in the negative.

“We do that with other funds,” he said. “That’s why we are trying to do repairs on water and sewer. We need to raise water rates to apply for grants. Our water rates are so low, DNR says we don’t qualify for grants because we’re not helping ourselves. Prioritize what needs to be done the most for the long-term solutions.”

Vogt said the city’s treasurer Charro Reasor has been doing things the way she was told.

“It’s not because Charro did anything wrong,” Vogt clarified. “She’s doing a fantastic job. We are trying to make adjustments to the budget to make it better.”

Vogt said if they can’t get a handle on the city’s police budget, they are going to have to do something else.

“Go back to county,” he suggested. “Everything is to be determined. “We are trying to keep (the police department) ourselves and fund ourselves, i the citizens support the tax increase. That is what we are trying to do. If they vote it down, then they want us to do something else. That is the assumption.”

He said change takes time.

“This falls back on me as mayor in the past and previous administrations,” Vogt continued. “She did things the way she was told to do things. We are not changing things because of what the treasurer is doing. We are trying to get them lined up and better for the city so we can be financially responsible and do the upgrades that need to be done.”

Mayor James (Pudd) Mitchell said on Monday that the city needs to pass the general-purpose sales tax for public safety because they have to do something about the budget.

“I’m not saying that if it doesn’t pass we will do away with the police department. That is up to the city council on that,” Mitchell said. “We haven’t got nothin’ wrote up right now. We are gonna do somethin’ with it and present it to the public. We are working on getting something put together.”

Prop A is a general-purpose tax that will be allocated toward public safety tax. Prop A will ask voters, “Shall the city of Belle, Missouri, impose a sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of improving public safety.”

Ordinance 638 in which Prop A was approved includes an emergency clause.

Vogt said in the Sept. 25 edition of The Advocate that the “emergency clause” will allow the city to begin collecting taxes immediately.

According to the ordinance, the description “improving public safety” shall allow for purchases of equipment, additional personnel and personnel expenses for the department.”

The city will also be responsible for sharing the cost of the ballots with Maries and Osage counties and the state. Municipal business traditionally takes place during the April election and is shared between other municipalities, making ballots more cost effective. The Maries County clerk expects the city to pay between $2,000 to $3,000 for its share of the ballot costs in the upcoming election.