Lake Saint Louis Considering Capital Improvement Sales Tax for August Ballot

The Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen is considering the possibility of putting a new sales tax on the August ballot.

The new capital improvement sales tax would help pay for street and parks improvements.

Derek Koestel, Public Works Director, talked about the the funding needed to maintain city streets. Under the current budget, an asphalt street in the city can expect maintenance every 37 years. Asphalt streets, however, have an expected life span of about 15 years.

With a proposed 1/2 cent tax, Koestel has projected that the same city street will receive maintenance every 17 years, much closer to engineers' recommendations for proper street maintenance.

Some of the aldermen are in favor of reducing the real estate tax levy as an incentive to residents to look more favorably on the new sales tax.

"As far as getting it passed, I don't think it's going to fly," Ward 3 Alderman Richard Morris said. "We had one just in the last year or two that didn't pass."

Ward 2 Alderman Karen Vennard said, "If we’re going to put a quid pro quo on this, let's just forget about it."

Kathy Schweikert, also of Ward 2, agreed with Vennard. "I would not be in favor if we're going to turn around and lower the property tax . . . where are we going to pick up the shortfall?"

Markworth offered a scenario so that board members could see how Lake Saint Louis' current property tax compares with neighboring cities. With a $150 home and two vehicles, Markworth said, Lake Saint Louis' total taxes would be $289; O'Fallon's would be $230; St. Peters' would be $322, Wentzville's would be $330; and St. Charles would be $381.

The board will continue to discuss the issue at the public work session at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Any bill that may arise from the discussions would be considered at the March 4 and March 18 regular meetings.

Both the work sessions and the regular board of aldermen meetings are open to the public. The regular board meetings include public comment time.