Callaway County to host use tax meeting, mulls placing it on the August ballot

As the Callaway County Commission contemplates placing a use tax on the August ballot - and encourages municipalities in the county to do the same - it is hosting a public information meeting to help educate local voters.

The commission is inviting local leaders and residents to hear Brian Schmidt speak about use tax at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, in the commons area at Fulton High School. Schmidt owns Missouri Wonk, a public policy analysis firm, and is a former executive director of the Joint Committee on Tax Policy in the Missouri General Assembly.

"This is going to give the public information about what (use tax) is all about, so they can make their decisions," Callaway Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said. "Hopefully, people ... go home knowing all about it so they know what they need to know come ballot time."

He said Schmidt will speak for 20-30 minutes and then will take questions from the audience.

Schmidt said his presentation, arranged through the Missouri Association of Counties, will explain what a use tax is and how it works - which he said is usually what people ask about.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.