Issue 43 | June 2020
June 2020 News & Updates
June's edition includes....
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • From The Mayor's Corner with Ozark Mayor Rick Gardner
  • City Updates
  • Programs & Events
  • Local Use Tax FAQ


You can always find more information on our website at ozarkmissouri.com  and connect with us on our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor
For all updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the City of Ozark and Christian County, please access these sources which include press releases, live updates, and specific city department cancellations, closings and alternative resources:
#Journey2030:
From the Mayor's Corner
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City News and Updates
WHAT IS A LOCAL USE TAX? ON THE JUNE 2ND BALLOT.
Chief of Police Justin Arnold discusses how the 40 percent of revenue would be used for public safety here in Ozark:
Learn more about what 30 percent for city facilities and the proposed animal control shelter means:
Q: What is a Local Use Tax?
A: A use tax is the same as a local sales tax but charged on out-of-state and online purchases. It is the same rate as the local sales tax, and you are never charged both. The current rate of a local use tax in the State of Missouri is approximately 2 percent. If the local sales tax is raised or reduced by voter approval, the local sales tax must match that.

Q: What would the Use Tax funding be used for?
A: After careful consideration and community surveys launched by the City of Ozark, the local use tax would be divided up into percentages based on residents needs and/or wants. The percentages are broken down as: 30 percent to Parks, Trails, and Sidewalks. 30 percent to new City Facilities beginning with a new no kill animal shelter. And the remaining 40 percent to Public Safety.

Q: What does “not getting charged double tax” mean for me?
A : It is important to remember that a local sales tax and a local use tax are not the same thing. When buying a product in the state of Missouri, you are required to pay a local sales tax that is currently around 2 percent. When you go online and purchase from out of state vendors, the local use tax - which is the same percentage - would be included within that online purchase, not as an addition to that purchase. Purchases cannot fall into both categories, so therefore when you purchase online and out-of-state, there would only be one of those two taxes applied and that would be the local use tax.

Q: How does this help local businesses?
A : The Use Tax would level the playing field for local businesses which are required to pay the local Sales Tax. While there is no local use tax in place, residents have a greater incentive to seek out and purchase items from out-of-state vendors and online, instead of buying locally. This means hundreds of thousands of dollars are being sent out of our state and therefore our local economy. Currently, fifty-five percent of the City of Ozark’s general fund revenue comes from local retail sales tax. The City of Ozark must maintain this stream of revenue to continue funding public safety, parks, trails and sidewalks, and improvement projects that residents need.

Q: Do other cities in Missouri have a local use tax?
A : Yes, approximately half of Missouri cities with a population of over 2,000 have passed a local use tax. This includes our neighboring communities of Springfield, Nixa and Willard, and larger cities like Kansas City and St. Louis.
Check out the 'Love Your City: Journey 2030' banners around Ozark!
City offices reopen to the public with precautionary measures in place:

City Hall: Reopened May 18th with limited staff.

Public Works: Reopened May 18th.

Police Department: Reopened lobby and resumed normal operating procedures as of May 18th.

Utility Billing: Walk-up window will reopen from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm on June 1st. Drive-up window new hours began (8:00am - 4:30pm) on May 18th.

Planning and Development: Reopened to the public May 18th with precautionary measures in place; limited persons allowed at the counter/department.

Please continue to follow social distancing guidelines and utilize online payment options found at OzarkMissouri.com or payment by phone.
Ozark Public Works
Riverside Bridge updates continue with City Administrator Steve Childers on site at the construction:
We've begun posting Riverside Bridge updates from the weekly report on our website! We will be updating it accordingly as the project continues:
Click here to see the 3/8 Cent Transportation Sales Tax page with the update:  https://bit.ly/2LoFhE7
Public Works Director Jeremy Parsons is on the ground near 3rd Street Water Improvements to update everyone
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Ozark Police Department
Please join the Ozark Police Department in congratulating Kelsey Cliffe on her recent promotion to Corporal. Corporal Cliffe has been employed by the Ozark Police Department since 2016. She has served as a Peer Mentor, Bike Patrol Officer and Detective in the Criminal Investigations Unit. Cliffe holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Missouri State University and has extensive training in criminal investigations and cyber crime investigation.

Unfortunately, due to the current health concerns with COVID-19 we are unable to have a promotion ceremony for Corporal Cliffe at this time, where we could celebrate with family, friends and community.

Congratulations Corporal Cliffe, we are proud of you!
Park and Recreation Department
The OC Summer Camp:
May 5th - August 21
More information by clicking HERE
Free Swim Day
Neal and Betty Grubaugh Pool
June 5, 2020
12pm - 6pm
Neal & Betty Grubaugh Pool Night Swim
June Dates: 6/12, 6/26
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Upcoming Events and Programs
1ST ANNUAL FINLEY RIVER NIGHT LIGHT 5K
Saturday, June 27th
7pm - 10pm
View more about this event by clicking here.
Register for this event by clicking here.
Please be aware there will be precautionary measures in place for this event in consideration of social distancing guidelines presented by the CDC. If you have questions or concerns, please visit the official website by clicking here.
What:           Pedestrian Market Re-Opening
                       
When:           June 4th 3:00-7:00 pm
                       
Where:          844 Finley Farms Lane
                       Ozark, Missouri

Contact:         Katherine Dowdy
                        OzarkFarmersMarket@gmail.com
                       417.848.5618

The OFM of Finley Farms is pleased to announce the Pedestrian Re-Opening Day Thursday, June 4 th , from 3:00-7:00 pm, although pre-ordering is still available.

We take very seriously the health and safety of our vendors and customers, and while we understand that shopping an open-air market is safer than a traditional food retailer, we also recognize the ongoing health concerns from COVID-19. In coordination with the City of Ozark and Christian County Health we have developed safety protocols we believe appropriate for a pedestrian market format. At minimum, these protocols will include:

·          Please arrive prepared to maintain a minimum of 6’ distance from other shoppers and
vendors.
·          Do not congregate or linger in groups.
·          Please do not bring large groups to shop, keep your numbers as small as possible.
·          There is no customer handling of products, vendors will assist you with your choices.
·          Do not place personal shopping bags on vendors’ tables.
·          Vendors will continue to wear masks to maximize safety for our customers; in turn we
ask that customers consider wearing masks for the safety of OFM staff, vendors, and
fellow shoppers. 
·          Vendors will have hand sanitizer available for shoppers
·          Vendors will continuously sanitize their hands and tables between customer purchases.
·          Food and drink offerings are for take-away only.
·          No seating or tables will be available for socializing or food consumption.

For list of participating vendors and their pre-ordering information go to OzarkFarmersMarket.com or message us on Facebook at Ozark Farmers Market.
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Want to know more?
Learn how you can nominate someone for Ozark Employee Spotlight by clicking here.
City of Ozark | 417-581-2407 | ozarkmissouri.com