City Council Wrap Up: Council Hears About Possible Change In Sales Tax Distribution

The city of Creve Coeur could be in line to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue it currently gives back to St. Louis County to be redistributed, if a measure making its way through the Missouri General Assembly becomes law. That news was delivered to City Council Monday night by City Administrator Mark Perkins.

Under the current system, originated in 1993, municipalities are divided into two camps--point-of-sale, or “A” cities; and pool, or “B” cities. Under the system, the wealthiest “A” cities are required to share a portion of their 1-cent countywide sales tax revenues with both the “B” cities and St. Louis County on a per-capita basis. Under this system, the pool cities get $124 per person, annually.

Creve Coeur is among cities which can claim both "A" and "B" city status in certain places. Over the last 12 months, the city has sent $984,000 to county municipalities as part of this formula.

The idea has support from other cities which would benefit, including Fenton, and opponents from communities like University City. Creve Coeur area State Rep. Jill Schupp said she plans to canvass municipalities in her district for reaction. "I am of the philosophy that we benefit collectively and each community is able to contribute uniquely to the whole," she said to Patch via email. "While some of our communities boast strong and thriving retail, others offer great parks, beautiful and/or affordable housing, significant non-retail business and other amenities that draw residents and tourists to the region as a whole."

Schupp has already reached out to the city of Creve Coeur. City council members will likely consider weighing in collectively on the issue next month.

In other council news:

• 1st Ward Councilwoman Beth Kistner was back on the dias Monday night, a week after learning she was in violation of state campaign finance laws stemming from Kistner told Patch she was surprised by the discovery when she first learned about it because she thought the reports had been filed. She told Patch she filed a serious of "zero activity reports" and committee termination reports and donated what was left in the account to the Tappmeyer Foundation. Kistner's opponent in next month's election, Anthony Kardis addressed the topic in the public hearing portion of Monday's meeting, asking rhetorically, "Why are they better than us as ordinary citizens," and "Why does the city not enforce the laws of the state of Missouri." While state statutes suggest a candidate who does not properly file campaign documents cannot stand for re-election until those documents are received and fees are paid, City Attorney Carl Lumley said he's not aware of any court precedent that would give any direction for steps the city should take. He added the city has not asked him for an interpretation of the law.
• Under approved by city council members earlier this month, Monday's council meeting was the first to have all participants go through metal detectors. The device did not appear to pose any significant inconvenience to participants.