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Message From The Mayor
Dear Residents,
This is a conversation that must be had. We face an important decision about the future of our city. Do we plan for the long-term needs of our community, or simply legislate to get through the years of projected service ahead? The changing landscape of shopping—driven by companies like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Menards, Aldi, Walgreens, and many others—is reshaping how we live and shop.
Online shopping, which has thrived especially during times of crisis, has created great benefits, including more jobs. However, it has come at a significant cost to our brick-and-mortar businesses. Why build physical stores when people prefer the convenience of online shopping? This shift has made it increasingly difficult to find, attract, and retain brick-and-mortar businesses in our city—especially considering the limited design of a fourth-class city where we do not own the land or buildings our businesses rent. This leaves us reliant on landowners to create opportunities for local businesses.
Even industries like restaurants are changing. Many are adopting "dining room-less" models to keep labor costs low while maintaining profits and customer affordability. The online shopping trend affects nearly every industry, from groceries at Whole Foods to car parts and even pharmacy items—all delivered right to your doorstep.
As a result, brick-and-mortar stores are closing, and we’re seeing the impact firsthand in our city. Northwest Plaza, once a cash cow for our city, no longer generates the same level of revenue. Big Lots is closing, and the location, already problematic due to lack of visibility from the main road, will be hard to fill. We are also waiting for news on possible Walgreens closures. Save A Lot is subleasing space as they no longer need all their headquarters' space. These closures are concerning, and the shift to online shopping is a big part of the issue.
This issue will require us to plan for the future of our city. To be clear, the sales tax increase we’re considering was already passed years ago by voters. However, when online shopping first gained popularity, it started out tax-free—until states realized the lost revenue. Missouri has since implemented a Use Tax, which you now see when purchasing online. If we don’t act to address the decline in sales tax revenue now, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past, such as the loss of Northwest Plaza in 2011.
Back then, I asked: How could we not see this coming? Why weren’t there funds set aside for long-term city maintenance—things like streets, parks, and employees? I don’t want future leaders of this city to ask the same question. This is why I have allowed the Board of Aldermen to decide: Should we bring this issue to the people for a vote, or should we squash it now?
The answer lies with you. I would not be doing my job if I didn’t at least give you the opportunity to make this decision for yourselves. You’ve turned down the Use Tax three times, and I understand why—I too have hesitated. But our city’s history shows that short-term thinking doesn’t work. The loss of Northwest Plaza and the reduction or elimination of city services due to a lack of foresight is a lesson we should not repeat. In this case, the "cash cow" has moved online.
Voting gives residents a voice and a way to document their opinions for future generations. If you don’t vote, you’re not just abstaining—you’re making the decision for everyone else. For example, the pool project passed by only 7 votes. Some of you who didn’t vote in that election may still regret the outcome. Your vote could have changed the decision, and we might not have a pool today if it weren’t for those who voted.
Our streets weren’t fixed since the 1970s because no future funds were set up for maintenance. Now, thanks to your votes, we are rebuilding our streets, curbs, sidewalks, and trees. Similarly, park equipment went without proper maintenance because no long-term funds were in place. But your votes have helped us revitalize our parks, bringing back amenities that the community enjoys today. However, a long-term fund for parks maintenance has still not been developed, and short-term fixes remain.
You might remember 2010 when the board shut down the pool forever, eliminated community events like the Easter egg hunt, St. Ann Days and Parade, and the fishing derby, all because of budget cuts. They had no choice—long-term thinking was lacking. I don't want us to fall into that trap again.
I understand that this tax will affect my budget, too. The tax in question is a 1.75 cent tax—0.5% for parks, 0.5% for economic development, 0.5% for capital projects, and 0.25% for general funds. For every dollar spent, this tax would add about two cents. Some of you may not shop online as much, and your impact will be lesser. But if we were shopping in person, we would already be paying this tax.
If we pass this, we’ll collect the tax on online purchases as well as on business-to-business transactions. The real gains will likely come from business taxes. For comparison, Bridgeton generates about $2 million a year from this tax, while we estimate around $200,000. Our .03 cent weed tax brought in $109,906 in 2024, so we can see the potential here.
I want you to vote based on what you believe is best for our city’s future. Today, we must decide: Do we continue to avoid dealing with this issue, out of fear or avoidance, as our predecessors did? Or do we take action now to secure the future of our city’s services, maintenance, and the viability of our brick-and-mortar businesses?
If we don’t even out the playing field for these businesses—giving them a chance to succeed alongside online sales—then we risk losing them altogether, like we lost Northwest Plaza. This is our moment to act.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your continued engagement in the future of our city.
Mayor Amy Poelker
City of St Ann, Mo. - 2023 - Present
314-517-2378