A pair of ordinances passed during the Feb. 25 Fulton City Council meeting should save the council some time next year.
They'll also save Fulton residents some sales tax money. City Council members voted to move bills 1577 and 1578 to a third reading and final vote, passing them unanimously. Both bills establish annual municipal sales tax holidays: One focused on eco-friendly appliances and another on school supplies.
"This is something we do on a regular basis, but every year, we have to go back and do this ordinance," Ward 3 council member John Braun said. "So, to fall within the state where we don't have to go back and do it every year, is why we're doing what we're doing with both of these."
The first potential tax holiday, nicknamed the "Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday," applies specifically to energy-efficient appliances and will take place April 19-25 every year.
According to the text of Bill No. 1577, "the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday encourages the purchase of energy efficient appliances by exempting them from sales tax and incentivizing consumer awareness of and investment in energy efficient appliances can reasonably be expected to reduce energy consumption across the state."
The holiday would exempt consumers from up to $1,500 in Fulton sales taxes per Energy Star Certified appliance, including clothes washers and dryers, water heaters, trash compactors, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, stoves, air conditioners, furnaces, fridges and freezers.
The "Back to School Sales Tax Holiday" applies from Aug. 7-9 each year. The exemption includes certain qualifying clothing, personal computers and school supplies.
Both tax holidays have already passed at the state level, so qualifying purchases made on the dates above will also be exempt from state sales tax.
City Council members also authorized Mayor Lowe Cannell to sign an application for the Assistance to Firefighters matching grant. If Fulton wins the grant, the Fulton Fire Department will receive up to $208,192.55.
"It's for new radios and equipment for the fire department, with a 5 percent local match of between $10,000 and $11,000," Director of Administration Bill Johnson said.
Though the matching funds aren't included in the 2020 city budget, Johnson said he's sure they can be found should Fulton receive the grant. Fulton's won the grant in the past, he added.
"Sounds like a good deal," Cannell said.
Also on the agenda: The Callaway 200 Committee gained permission to hold the Callaway County Bicentennial Bash and 10K on May 30 in downtown Fulton. The weekend will feature a free concert by Shenandoah, history tours, art exhibits, a beer garden and much more.
"This is going to be a heck of a party, folks," Ward 2's Jeff Stone said. "We are celebrating this county's 200th anniversary, and this is the birthday party of all birthday parties. It's about where we are today. There is no focus on the negative history of this community."