County Internet Use Tax on Ballot Again

(Farmington, MO) St. Francois County Commissioners are approving placing the internet use tax on the ballot in August. Commissioners discussed the issue at Tuesday's commission meeting. If the measure is approved by voters the county would use most of the funds received to help the Sheriff's Department. St. Francois County Road Deputy Lieutenant, Mike Ryan, told those at the meeting if approved by voters, the department could better serve citizens and become more competitive in the job market with better pay and additional deputies.

In 2018 the Sheriff's office received 14,450 calls for service while in 2021 there were 19,547 calls. The department has only increased it's deputy count by 3 from 16 deputies in the 90's to 19 currently. The measure was not approved in the April election. The tax is paid when a you purchase certain items on the internet. It's already being collected by the state of Missouri on many items purchased online. St. Francois County will not see any benefit from the internet use taxes paid by county citizens unless voters approve it by voting yes. In the meantime the funds are still being taken yet not distributed to the county at this time.