On April 4, 2017, voters passed Blue Springs’s first dedicated Park Sales Tax, which took effect on October 1, 2017. The Blue Springs Parks Sales Tax is a dedicated sales tax for local parks applied to all retail sales made within the City of Blue Springs that are subject to taxation under the provision of Section 144.010 to 144.525 RSMo. All revenue received from the local Park Sales Tax is used: “solely for local parks for the City, in order to purchase, improve and manage parks, trails and natural lands for water quality, wildlife, tree preservation and recreation purposes.” Click here for specific information about the Park Sales Tax - its history, purpose, rate, projects funded, and subsequent ballots.
The authority to pass a local park sales tax is granted pursuant to Section 644.032 RSMo. Missouri Statutes allow for up to 1/2 of 1% on retail sales to be dedicated for local parks.
What is the Parks Sales Tax rate in Blue Springs and how much revenue does it generate?
The current Park Sales Tax rate in Blue Springs is 1/2 of 1%, or simply 1/2 of one penny. This equates to 1-cent on a $2 purchase.
This 1/2-cent Park tax is renewable only by voter approval and is set to expire September 30, 2022, and generates approximately $3 million/year.