Proposition B: The Use Tax – What It Really Means for Madison County
Vote YES for Prop B
Know the Facts
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Proposition B: The Use Tax – What It Really Means for Madison County
A common-sense solution to support our roads, emergency services, and local businesses. Proposition B is not a new tax—it’s a way to apply our existing sales tax to out-of-state purchases delivered to Madison County from online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Temu, and others. Right now, when you shop at a local business like Georgie Kay’s or The Crazy Wildflower, you pay sales tax that goes directly to supporting our community. But when you buy from large online retailers, that tax isn’t collected—meaning Madison County loses out on critical revenue. Proposition B helps close that gap by ensuring everyone pays their fair share, no matter where they shop. The Use Tax is fair and focused. It does not apply to essential items like groceries, prescriptions, gas, or utilities. It also does not apply to local retailers purchasing inventory to resell—it’s only charged to the end user. If you mostly shop locally, you’ll hardly notice a difference. But if you regularly buy from out-of-state retailers, you’ll simply be paying the same tax you’d pay at a local store. It’s about leveling the playing field, not raising taxes. Madison County, like many households, is feeling the pressure of rising costs. Materials, fuel, and labor expenses have gone up significantly, but the county is still expected to maintain roads, fund emergency services, and keep operations running. Right now, the county is operating at a $250,000 budget deficit (due to Sales Tax being down and rising expenses). Without new revenue, we may be forced to borrow money just to maintain basic services—which would only increase future costs for taxpayers. The Use Tax would help avoid unnecessary debt and keep Madison County on solid financial ground. Revenue from the Use Tax would be used where it’s needed most: repairing roads and bridges and funding emergency services, including our 911 system, which is facing an annual shortfall due to the decline of landlines (current funding source, it is also proposed to through a different proposition, Proposition A, to add a $1 cell phone surcharge to help with funding). These are critical services that keep our community safe and functioning, and they need a reliable source of funding to continue. Don't forget we will also lose funding for other activities like, Team Up to Clean Up Week, our annual Independence Day celebration, Truckin' Tuesdays, Freakytown, Small Business Season/Day and initiatives like applying for grants, tourism, economic development, downtown revitalization and organization like the University of Missouri Extension and the Madison County Chamber of Commerce (partially funded by the county). By voting YES on Proposition B, you’re voting for fairness, local investment, and financial responsibility. You’re supporting small businesses, protecting emergency services, and ensuring Madison County can maintain the infrastructure we all rely on—without creating new taxes or future debt. Let’s keep our tax dollars working here at home. Vote YES on Proposition B. For fact-based information from a reliable source, please email us at [email protected] or send a message to @MadisonCountyCC on Facebook. Let’s keep the conversation productive and focused on facts that matter to our community. |
Vote YES on the Use Tax!
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 6am - 7pm
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 6am - 7pm
Where do I vote?
St. Michael's Auditorium
304 W Main St
Fredericktown, MO 63645
304 W Main St
Fredericktown, MO 63645
Marquand City Hall
201 S Harding St
Marquand, MO 63655
201 S Harding St
Marquand, MO 63655