COLUMBIA − Columbia and Boone County officers advocated for his or her respective poll initiatives throughout the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s election candidate meet and greet Wednesday.
Columbia Public Faculties Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood spoke concerning the college district’s bond subject that shall be on the April 5 poll. It’s a no-tax enhance bond subject that may fund upkeep, building and constructing tasks throughout the district.
The bond is value a complete of $80 million:
- $25 million would go towards the development of a brand new elementary college on the campus of John Warner Center College,
- $28 million for a second new elementary college, however that location has not but been decided,
- $15 million for renovations and additions on the Columbia Space Profession Heart,
- $4.5 million for an addition at Battle Elementary College.
As well as, bond cash will go towards upgrading accessibility for disabled people, in addition to enhance safety enhancements.
Yearwood mentioned these renovations are essential as a result of CPS is rising. There are over 18,000 college students within the district – 10,000 greater than 10 years in the past.
“So we must always see, I’d say in 10 years, we’ll be hitting effectively over 20,000 based mostly upon our projections,” Yearwood mentioned.
CPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood advocated for the district’s $80 million bond subject.
Within the district, there are 16 buildings which might be over 50 years previous and some are nearly 100 years previous, Yearwood mentioned.
“Because of that, there’s numerous deferred upkeep that has to happen. We won’t afford to not have buildings the place the setting is really conducive to studying,” Yearwood mentioned.
Yearwood emphasised that the bond cash would assist do away with the moveable buildings. Proper now, CPS has 20 portables.
“They turn out to be dilapidated in a short time, and so they additionally are typically infested with rodents, and it is simply not secure,” Yearwood mentioned. “They’re sometimes in the back of the college the place students need to stroll outdoors, generally in rain and snow to get to them. We’re on a mission to take away each moveable in Columbia Public Faculties.”
The bond will need to have 57% approval for it to move. To see the particular poll language for the bond subject, go to the district’s web site.
Boone County Commissioner Janet Thompson additionally spoke about Proposition 1. Prop 1 is an web use tax that shall be on the poll for each Boone County and Columbia residents.
Residents within the metropolis of Columbia would pay a 2% gross sales tax on on-line purchases produced from out of state distributors. Boone County residents would pay a 1.75% tax. If somebody lives in each Boone County and town of Columbia, they may pay a mixed 3.75% tax.
The town of Columbia already collects a 2% native gross sales tax on items and companies bought from native companies. However, purchases made on-line are usually not taxed towards town of Columbia, and Prop 1 would change that.
Thompson defined that “the best way we store has modified.”
“And definitely within the pandemic, it has modified dramatically. Over 50% of all gross sales now are made on-line,” Thompson mentioned.
Thompson mentioned the use tax will assist even the taking part in discipline for native companies, in comparison with on-line companies.
“Let’s make it higher for the entire native companies so that you simply all can compete so you do not have an uphill battle,” Thompson mentioned.
Thompson mentioned residents should vote sure on each use taxes if they need the proposition to move.
Mayoral candidates Barbara Buffaloe, Tanya Heath, Randy Minchew and David Seamon all spoke in favor of Prop 1. Metropolis council candidates Nick Foster, Roy Lovelady and Erica Pefferman additionally confirmed their assist to be used tax. Pefferman mentioned the entire metropolis council candidates assist the tax.