Webster County

Election Law Changes

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The 2022 legislative session in Missouri saw a number of changes in election law – including new ID requirements for the November 8th General Election.

A valid, government-issued, photo ID is now required.  Those who do not have such an ID may vote a “provisional ballot”.

If you do not have a qualifying form of identification, and need assistance in obtaining a photo ID (for free), call: 573-526-VOTE (8683) .

Thank you.

MoDOT Public Hearing – Diggins Interchange

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The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be hosting a Public Hearing, where they will present plans for: a proposed interchange over U.S. Hwy 60 at Hwy A on the west edge of Diggins; and an outer road south of the rail line connecting that interchange to State Hwy Z.

The meeting will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, at the Diggins Baptist Church.  More information can be found on MoDOT’s website – here .

Burn Ban Lifted

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Due to improved weather conditions, the Webster County Commission has lifted the county-wide burn ban, effective August 18th, 2022.
Local City burn bans may still be in effect; city residents may wish to contact their local city hall for confirmation.
Regardless, the County Commission and local fire agencies urge you still exercise caution when doing any open burning, and that you be aware of local weather conditions.
Thank you for your cooperation!

MoDOT TRAFFIC ALERT:

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Webster County “Route A” Bridge Over James River CLOSED May 16-20 For Bridge Maintenance

Where: Webster County Route A Bridge CLOSED over James River south of Marshfield

When: Monday-Friday, May 16-20

What: MoDOT crews will be repairing the bridge due to high water

Traffic Impacts:

  • Route A bridge CLOSED over James River south of Marshfield
  • Drivers will be able to get to driveways and entrances on either side of the bridge, but will not be able to travel over the bridge
  • Drivers urged to find alternate routes. No signed detours are planned.
  • Electronic message boards located near the planned road work will alert drivers to any changes in the work schedule
  • Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

(For more information, call MoDOT in Springfield at 417-895-7600 or visit www.modot.org/southwest) 

April 5, 2022 General Municipal Election

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Make it Equal: Question One (Use Tax) – FAQs

What is a ‘Use Tax’ (listed as “Make it Equal: Question 1” on the April 5, 2022 ballot)?
A local use tax is a tax that applies to purchases made from out-of-state vendors and shipped to a location in Webster County. It is applied to the same type of products subject to traditional sales tax. The difference is where the goods are purchased and shipped. If you purchase an item at a retail store in Webster County, you pay local sales tax. On the other hand, if you purchase an item through the internet or by catalog from an out-of-state business and have the item shipped to Webster County, then the use tax may apply. You would never pay both. It’s one or the other, depending on where the goods are purchased.
Will the Use Tax apply to every purchase made from out-of-state vendors?
If the goods purchased are being shipped to you in Webster County and otherwise would have been subject to a sales tax if purchased at retail, then they may be subject to the use tax.

On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the South Dakota vs. Wayfair case overturning the previous ruling that exempted out-of-state vendors without a physical presence in the state from collecting the use tax. This significant ruling means online retailers may now be required to collect and remit any applicable sales and use taxes.

However, in Missouri, each level of government (state, county, and city if applicable) must independently adopt a use tax in order to capture the revenue from this decision.

If you physically purchase something from a retailer in another state, the use tax would not apply because you would have paid the sales tax of the community you were located in at the time of purchase.

Why does Webster County need a Use Tax?
The use tax would level the playing field for local businesses. Otherwise, these local businesses are at a competitive disadvantage to out-of-state businesses when local taxes are avoided.

With no local use tax in place, residents have an incentive to make out-of-state purchases instead of buying locally. This impacts local jobs and takes money out of our local economy.

Over time, the use tax could provide an important source of local funding and would allow for improvements to local infrastructure, public safety, and other needs required to address the challenges of our growing community.

Doesn’t Amazon already collect this Use Tax?
Amazon.com volunteered in February 2017 to begin collecting use tax in Missouri for cities & counties that have a use tax in place. Webster County does not currently capture this revenue from Amazon and other online retailers, and cannot unless a use tax is approved by voters.
What is the rate of the Use Tax?
The local use tax rate must mirror the local sales tax rate, currently 2.083%. If the local sales tax rate decreases or increases by voter approval, the local use tax also changes by the same action so the sales tax rate always matches the use tax rate.
I don’t buy anything online. How will it affect me?
If you never buy goods from out-of-state vendors which have to be shipped to you in Webster County, you won’t pay any use tax.

However, unless/until Webster County voters approve a local use tax in place, the county will not receive any tax revenues from those who do choose to purchase items online. Eventually, this may cause a decrease in the quality of public services due to the erosion of sales tax revenues.

When are the polls open?
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
I already pay Sales Tax on purchases. Is this the same thing?
No. A sales tax is imposed based on the location of the seller, while a use tax applies to purchases made from out-of-state vendors and shipped to Webster County for use.

When purchases are made at retail stores in Missouri, sales tax is collected at that location. On the other hand, purchases from out-of-state vendors that are shipped to Webster County are subject to a use tax. A purchaser pays either the sales tax or the use tax, but never both.

How much will Webster County receive from a local Use Tax?
While the exact amount of this resource is unknown, it is estimated this revenue source could generate around $700,000 annually in Webster County, based on the current local rate of 2.083%.
How will the Use Tax revenues be used?
The Use Tax will be collected at the same rate as the current Sales Tax (2.083%). Revenues are not earmarked. Rather, they will be used to improve local public services such as infrastructure and public safety.
What happens if the Proposition Action fails?
Nothing changes. Local businesses will remain at a competitive disadvantage to out-of-state vendors. In addition, over time, Webster County will experience an erosion of sales tax revenues.
When do I vote on this issue?
Election Day is April 5, 2022. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How does the ballot question read?
Webster County – Make it Equal: Question 1

Shall Webster County impose a local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, provided that if the local sales tax rate is reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax rate shall also be reduced or raised by the same action?

Yes No

Passage of this measure is necessary to ensure that the same local tax rate that is now imposed on sales from local retailers in rural Webster County will apply to purchases and sales from online sellers and vendors, making the tax rate on purchase transactions from local and online retailers the same.

If you are in favor of the question, darken the oval next to “YES”. If you are opposed to the question, darken the oval next to “NO”.

How do I vote Absentee for the April 5, 2022 Election?
Please contact your local election office regarding the specific guidelines to vote absentee in a Missouri election.
For residents living in Webster County, contact:

Webster County Clerk’s Office
101 S. Crittenden St., Room 12
Marshfield, MO 65706
417-859-VOTE(8683)

Missouri law requires that requests for absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to Election Day if the ballot is mailed. The deadline for absentee voting in person in the office of the election authority is 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.

Grant Dollars for U.S. Hwy 60

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The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in partnership with the Webster County Commission, has been selected to receive a federal grant under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.

The grant asked for design and construction funds for substantial safety improvements along the U.S. Hwy 60 corridor in southern Webster County, including the construction of an outer road beginning at State Hwy Z near Fordland running to a new interchange at State Hwy A. The total cost estimate for the project, including design and construction, is $18,495,070.00.

The effort grew out of a two-year partnership involving BNSF Railway, MoDOT’s Multi-Modal (Railway Safety) Division, Webster County, and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) in developing a ‘U.S. Hwy 60 Corridor Study’. Over a dozen public meetings were held during that time, involving local municipalities, school districts, first responders, and the general public.

A one-page summary showing highlights of the study’s findings is found here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Study – At A Glance

A full copy of the Plan is also available, here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Master Plan.  It’s a large file.  If you have trouble opening it, you may wish to contact the Webster County Clerk’s office at: [email protected] or by calling – 417-859-VOTE(8683).

Funding of the project calls for nearly $10.4 million in federal grant dollars, along with contributions by other partners. “This is a game-changing investment in a safer future for southern Webster County”, said Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock. “And it’s great to see recognition from MoDOT that this fast-growing rail and highway corridor plays a major role moving freight throughout the country. For our rural community, it is an important lifeline for our economy.”

At this time, there is no schedule for when design will be complete and construction might begin. However, Southern Commissioner Randy Owens was quick to express the County’s appreciation to the federal officials involved, as well as to all those who have played a hand in this important victory – including engineer Steve Prange and his team at Crawford Murphy & Tilly (CMT). “They’ve been great to work with”, he said.

Finally, Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker emphasized that he hopes this is the just the first step of many. “We are a fast-growing community, and we have to look to the future. And I believe good things are coming to Webster County.”

U.S. Hwy 60 Corridor Study

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During the Spring of 2020, Webster County successfully completed a long-range transportation plan for the entire 22-mile stretch of U.S. Hwy 60 cutting across the southern part of the County.

The study was funded in partnership with BNSF Railway, the Multi-Modal Division of the Missouri Department of Transportation, and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG).  Other partners included: the cities of Fordland, Rogersville, and Seymour – and the Village of Diggins.  The consulting engineers on the project were: Crawford Murphy & Tilly Inc. (CMT).

A one-page summary showing highlights of the study’s findings is found here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Study – At A Glance

A full copy of the Plan is also available, here: 2020 US 60 Corridor Master Plan.  It’s a large file.  If you have trouble opening it, you may wish to contact the Webster County Clerk’s office at: [email protected] or by calling – 417-859-VOTE(8683).

The Webster County Commission wishes to thank all those involved – including those from the communities along the corridor who attended one of the twelve public meetings held to formulate the recommendations in the Plan.