For the individuals who have already completed the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list survey on the Christian County Health Department website, the health department staff will continue to make appointments from that list for individuals identified in the phase 1A and phase 1 B (tier 1 and 2 categories). If you would like to be placed on the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list, please complete the DHSS Missouri COVID-19 Vaccine Navigator survey located at https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator/. If you need assistance registering, please call the DHSS COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411.

On my next to last Mayor Newsletter, I'd like to offer clarification on some of the projects anticipated by the proposed Ozark Mill Transportation Development District, aka TDD. These were presented in a public meeting on February 16th at the Ozark Community Center and by Zoom.

First of all, a TDD is an economic development tool authorized by the State of Missouri and frequently utilized by municipalities as a way of cost sharing public/private transportation improvements. The Finley Farms/Ozark Mill project elected to implement such a plan to fund transportation projects necessary for their development. The city is glad to assist in an effort to complete some badly needed transportation improvements in the area.

The first project on the list is intersection improvements at McCracken and 3rd Street at the main entrance to the Finley River Park (the caboose entrance). Here the south approach from Riverside Road will be raised and connected as a through street to 3rd Street. This will improve traffic flow and should cause there to be less flooding over Riverside Road. Two new and larger box culverts are also planned to be installed under McCracken and 3rd Street for better flow capacity and improved pedestrian connectivity.

Next on the list are badly needed repairs to the McCracken Street steel truss bridge at the mill pond. These are absolutely necessary to preserve the bridge for future vehicular traffic. MoDot has warned the city for several years that if these repairs are not made, the bridge will have to be replaced. The mill pond dam is also in dire need of repairs, particularly to the east side where there is already significant deterioration. The dam is critical not only for flood control and stream bank preservation, but also to protect the bridge's concrete pier foundations from high water velocities during flooding.

All of these improvements have been needed for some time but the city has never had the financial ability to accomplish them alone. With the cost sharing capability of the TDD between the developer, MoDot, city, county and Ozark Special Road District, this is now becoming possible. Good things happen when organizations work together for the common good.

Rick Gardner

Mayor

Check out even more March Holiday's to celebrate while #maskingup and staying safe by clicking here.

Ozark, can you believe it's already March?  We can assure you that your Public Works crews are saying, “Bring on the warm weather!” And warmer weather means it is almost paving season, which is an exciting time around Ozark.  Last month we discussed pavement project selection and the methodology that is utilized to determine which streets are selected for roadway improvements. We outlined our development process and emphasized the importance of constructing infrastructure repairs prior to the final step of paving. 

In 2020, Kali Springs roadway improvements were completed. This was another case of relatively new subdivision that required a substantial amount of infrastructure and storm water improvements. Public Works had been working with that neighborhood Homeowners Association since the spring of 2019. We had multiple neighborhood meetings to explain the process and the sequence of work that needed to be completed prior to the asphalt portion of the project being constructed. It all came together wonderfully. We owe a big thank you to all the homeowners out there in Kali Springs. We followed our process, they had patience, and we all ended up with a beautiful product that will be structurally sound for decades to come. 

 

When the Founding Fathers of Missouri structured the way our state would operate, or the municipalities decided how they would cover expenses for their residents; no one knew about the innovation and impact of the W.W.W.

I’ve heard a lot of confusion lately about the collection of online sales and use tax. The question continues to arise, “Isn’t the state handling that?” or “Doesn’t this [state legislation] solve our local problem regarding use tax?” The answer is NO. The Missouri legislators do not have the ability to wave a magic wand and enact legislation that would solve the issue of hemorrhaging internet sales and the impacts on the local economy.

Online shopping has changed the way business is done, the way consumers purchase goods, and the flow of revenue through our communities. eCommerce was on the rise prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but the last eleven months have drastically increased the rate of pace for internet retail consumption. “Online shopping’s share of total retail sales has been increasing approximately one percentage point per year, but a recent UBS analysis predicted that COVID-19 will immediately increase that share from 15 percent to 25 percent – a decade of change concentrated in several months.” (The Pandemic Will Change American Retail Forever.) Furthermore, “According to e-commerce statistics for 2020, 95 percent of retail sales are expected to be made via the internet by 2040.” (IEDC: Restore Your Economy.)

Missouri and Florida are the only two states in the U.S. that do not have legislation in place to capture revenues from online purchases. There are currently seven bills being reviewed between the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives. Opinions vary on the use of funds and that divide has delayed our state from enacting a sound resolution addressing the disappearing funds desperately needed to forward our state. Some lawmakers wish to see the funds deposited to general revenue, like SB287; Senator Sandy Crawford is sponsoring the Governor’s Wayfair legislation with such a proposal. Others would like to use the revenue to reduce the personal income tax and another option proposes an earned income tax credit.

In speaking with economic development peers across Missouri, more companies choose to locate elsewhere due to the lack of funding for infrastructure than our income tax rate, currently ranked 4th lowest in the U.S. While legislators are currently debating these bills Missouri is projecting a $1 billion, or 10% shortfall for the 2021 budget. Last year’s budget saw a 9% decline to the tune of $864 million according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

There is a broad consensus within the General Assembly that these taxes should be collected. The Government Relations committee for Show Me Christian County agrees, and our organization is advocating for a Missouri Wayfair solution. Imagine the improvements that could be made in Missouri if we saw a 25% increase to the budget by recapturing these lost funds instead of staring down steep cuts due to a 10% decline.

Ozark is also missing out on the opportunity to reinvest in its community, however there are no current plans to address this issue with a use tax on the local ballot. What does that mean for Ozark residents?

Show Me Christian County works with communities all across Christian County. Nixa, MO to the west is demographically parallel to Ozark. Nixa was able to regain nearly $1.1 million in lost internet sales revenue since they voted yes on the use tax in 2018. In June of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Nixa experienced a 133.59% increase in use tax collection year over year. That is $1.1million Nixa can spend on Parks & Recreation, Road improvements, Public Safety or any other vital city service.

It is my hope that someday soon residents will be able to reverse the trend and also decide that Ozark is worth investing in. From the corporate perspective, it is difficult for a business to decide to invest in a community when the community doesn’t invest in itself. Until then Show Me Christian County continues to work alongside leaders to pursue grants and cost-share opportunities to maximize and encourage outside investment.

For more information on the use tax and why the Missouri Legislators cannot address this for the local communities please view the webinar SMCC hosted with Ray McCarty, President, and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. Understanding Wayfair and the Local Use Tax. To contact Show Me Christian County with questions or economic development opportunities please visit showmeccmo.com.   

Register at the link below or call 919-351-6256

First Baptist Church of Ozark

North Parking Lot

9 AM - 1:00 PM

1400 W. Jackson St.