Oronogo Board considers asking voters to approve a use tax for public safety

The Oronogo Board of Aldermen on Monday took an initial step toward proposing a use tax for public safety.

Board members voted to have City Attorney Derek Snyder write a council bill that if approved would place the proposal on the April 2025 election ballot.

Mayor Charles Wilkins said he hopes residents value the city’s public safety enough to at least help fund it by paying the same amount for online purchases as they would be if they were purchased at a brick-and-mortar store.

Public safety is a budget problem for the city because as Wilkins put it, “Everybody knows the police department isn’t making money.” In fact, he said it is “a $400,000 a year drain on this city.”

Of the 7.61% total sales tax currently collected in Oronogo, only 2% goes is revenue for the city. The rest is for the state and county.

By establishing a use tax, residents would be charged the same 2% sales tax on items they buy online, such as on Amazon.

“Everything you see delivered – there’s no sales tax paid on that,” Wilkins said.

The board could pass an ordinance as early as Nov. 25 to place the use tax on the April ballot.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a $26,107 bid from Springfield Striping and Sealing to grind and pave the parking lot a City Hall. It was the lowest of three bids that were submitted.

• Approved an ordinance contracting with Copy Products (CPI Technologies) for the purchase and ongoing maintenance of a new multi-purpose copier. The cost of the Toshiba copier is $4,995.

• Approved renewal of the city’s employee health insurance plan.