Sales Tax Funds Nearly Half of Osage Beach Budget | The Locally Times

Sales tax provides 45% of the city's operating budget, according to financial reports, while a new 3% marijuana tax is earmarked for public safety and parks.

The funds, generated from taxes on goods and services, are collected by the State of Missouri and remitted to the city two months after a purchase. ## General Tax Breakdown Reveals Reporting Gaps Osage Beach imposes a 2% sales tax on general goods and services, which is divided into three funds. The city’s documentation does not specify how the public can track revenue or expenditures for the remaining 1% of sales tax revenue designated for the Capital Improvement and Transportation funds. ## New Marijuana Tax Lacks Specific Public Accounting A separate 3% sales tax on all adult-use marijuana sales was approved by voters in April 2023, with collection beginning October 1, 2023. City documents state all revenue from this tax enters the General Fund but is specifically for the improvement of parks and the operation of public safety services, including the Police Department, 911 Communications Center, and Ambulance Service. While the city’s website provides links to a “Current Report” and “All Reports,” public records do not yet specify the dollar amount of revenue generated by the marijuana tax since its inception. The reports also do not list any specific projects or operational enhancements funded by this new revenue stream.