Nov. 7 Election set for Use Tax

Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 7 in Boone County for a vote on a “use tax” for online purchases.

But according to Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks, only about 10% of registered voters are predicted to vote.

The use tax will be on the ballot in Columbia, all Boone County polls, Ashland and Harrisburg.

Southern District Boone County Commissioner Fred Parry spoke to the Southern Boone Chamber of Commerce about the use tax last week and said the county measure supports local businesses by reducing the incentive to purchase goods from out-of-state. Parry also said products purchased online are delivered on county roads and over county bridges, but that infrastructure is not getting paid for if items are purchased tax-free.

The use tax would be imposed at the same tax rate as the county or the City of Ashland.