Dennis Patton's Reply
It is important to know how sales tax revenue comes to Columbia. Businesses pay their sales tax to the State and 1% is returned to the City. Weber Chevrolet and Royal Gate generate 30% of Columbia’s $1,300,000 sales tax revenue. We need to promote and do whatever it takes to keep these dealerships here. Fast food restaurants can bring 10 to 20 thousand dollars of revenue to the City; sit down restaurants can general 20 to 40 thousand dollars of revenue. That is a big factor in Waterloo’s high sales tax revenue.
Columbia needs to promote our existing restaurants and businesses and aggressively pursue new ones. Currently, the area off 255 and Route 3 near the Red Roof Shell is platted and zoned for retail development. Utilities are already nearby. Columbia needs to entice new businesses to that area and then begin to explore annexing new territory into the City limits. The area near the YMCA along Route 3 South is primed and ready for new businesses. Old Route 3 around Weber Chevrolet is also properly zoned and the new intersection coming to Route 255 just north of Weber will bring better access to that area to travelers coming south. Finally, we need a Columbia First PR Program. An example might be “Visit Columbia and eat at our fine restaurants, Shop at our unique stores, and buy a car.”
Kevin Hutchinson's Reply
There are basically three types of taxes, residential, commercial, and industrial.
The best way to reduce the residential tax is increase commercial and Industrial tax base. Industrial growth does not fit Columbia's charm so that leaves commercial growth. I have a short and long term plan for non residential growth.
Short term promote the city's existing shovel ready commercial building sites. We will continue to seek out professional office buildings, medical facilities, smaller retail, restaurants and light manufacturing business that fit with Columbia's charm.
Long term explore new commercial areas. Medical buildings, office buildings, restaurants and light commercial by the YMCA and Hospital, office buildings, light manufacturing, retail, and restaurants by the Jefferson barracks bridge. Planned commercial growth will lower your residential tax burden.
Harold McCarty's Reply
I would be willing to look at all types of businesses coming in for example, restaurants, small manufacturers, specialty shops and stores etc. As far as locations, we have Main street, Southwoods, the TIF district behind Budnik, the empty holes in the Market Place, the old video store, roughly 10 lots in Southport, and also along old highway 3. I believe we should fill these holes up as soon as possible. We are losing sales tax and utility taxes on these buildings and lots.
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