[Ord. No. 4913, 1-6-2020]
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 67.1305, RSMo., 2016, a sales tax of one-half of one percent (0.5%) is imposed for economic development purposes on all retail sales made in the City on and after January 1, 2020, which are subject to sales tax under Chapter 144, RSMo., for a period of twenty-five (25) years unless sooner terminated as provided by law.
[Ord. No. 4913, 1-6-2020]
A. 
All revenue generated by the tax referenced in this Chapter shall be deposited in a special trust fund and shall be used solely for purposes permitted by law, which, as of the date of adoption of this Section, are as follows:
1. 
No revenue generated by the tax referenced in this Chapter shall be used for any retail development project, except for the redevelopment of downtown areas and historic districts.
2. 
Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenue generated shall be used annually for administrative purposes, including staff and facility costs.
3. 
At least twenty percent (20%) of the revenue generated shall be used solely for projects directly related to long-term economic development preparation, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. 
Acquisition of land;
b. 
Installation of infrastructure for industrial or business parks;
c. 
Improvement of water and wastewater treatment capacity;
d. 
Extension of streets;
e. 
Public facilities directly related to economic development and job creation; and
f. 
Providing matching dollars for State or Federal grants relating to such long-term projects.
4. 
The remaining revenue generated may be used for, but shall not be limited to, the following:
a. 
Marketing;
b. 
Providing grants and loans to companies for job training, equipment acquisition, site development and infrastructures;
c. 
Training programs to prepare workers for advanced technologies and high skill jobs;
d. 
Legal and accounting expenses directly associated with the economic development planning and preparation process; and
e. 
Developing value-added and export opportunities for Missouri agricultural products.
[Ord. No. 4913, 1-6-2020]
A. 
There is hereby established an Economic Development Sales Tax Board to consist of five (5) members, to be appointed as follows:
1. 
One (1) member shall be appointed by the school districts included within any economic development plan or area funded by the sales tax referenced in this Chapter in any manner agreed upon by the affected districts;
2. 
Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the Board of Aldermen; and
3. 
One (1) member shall be appointed by the St. Louis County Council.
B. 
Of the members initially appointed, three (3) shall be designated by the Board of Aldermen to serve for terms of two (2) years, and the remaining members shall be designated to serve for a term of four (4) years from the date of such initial appointments. Thereafter, the members appointed shall serve for a term of four (4) years, except that all vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms in the same manner as were the original appointments.
C. 
The board shall receive no compensation or operating budget.
D. 
The board, subject to approval of the Board of Aldermen, shall consider economic development plans, economic development projects or designations of an economic development area and shall hold public hearings and provide notice of any such hearings. The board shall vote on all proposed economic development plans, economic development projects or designations of an economic development area and amendments thereto, within thirty (30) days following completion of the hearing on any such plan, project or designation and shall make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen within ninety (90) days of the hearing concerning the adoption of or amendment to economic development plans, economic development projects or designations of an economic development area. The Board of Aldermen shall have the final determination on use and expenditure of any funds received from the tax referenced in this Chapter.
E. 
The board may consider and recommend using funds received from the tax referenced in this Chapter for plans, projects or area designations outside the boundaries of the City if, and only if:
1. 
The City or the State receives significant economic benefit from the plan, project or area designation; and
2. 
The board establishes an agreement with the governing bodies of all Cities and Counties in which the plan, project or area designation is located detailing the authority and responsibilities of each governing body with regard to the plan, project or area designation.
F. 
The board and the Board of Aldermen shall report at least annually to the Board of Aldermen or County Council on the use of and on the progress of any plan, project or designation adopted under this Section and shall make such report available to the public.
[Ord. No. 4913, 1-6-2020]
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the economic development sales tax when imposed within a special taxing district, including but not limited to a tax increment financing district, neighborhood improvement district or community improvement district, shall be excluded from the calculation of revenues available to such districts and no revenues from the economic development sales tax shall be used for the purposes of any such district unless recommended by the Economic Development Sales Tax Board and approved by the Board of Aldermen.