During the monthly meeting of the California Area Chamber of Commerce, Thursday, March 14, Ken Parrett, Economic Developer, with the Moniteau County Regional Economic Development shared information regarding a Use Tax which will be on the April ballot. He stressed this is not a new tax, giving an example, that currently if a person bought a vehicle in a neighboring state they would not have to pay sales tax to California or Moniteau County. By not paying sales tax the City of California and Moniteau County are missing out on revenue. A local use tax ordinance needs to be in place so sales tax revenues can be collected on purchases made out of the state of Missouri.Â
Voters will be asked to vote on this for the city and county in April to ensure Moniteau County and the City of California will get their part.
Diane Eulinger, Executive Secretary, distributed a written report in the member's packets. She mentioned the 2012 audit had been completed and was satisfactory. Also, papers had been taken to Evers and Company to complete taxes for 2012.
During old business Board members were asked to follow-up with businesses that had not paid 2013 Chamber dues. A short list included businesses who paid in 2012 but had not renewed for 2013. The executive secretary was instructed to bring a list of all businesses that had not joined the Chamber to the April meeting so more contacts could be made.
During committee reports Melanie McDonald, Commerce Bank, reported the Easter Egg Hunt will be at 1 p.m. at the shelter near the volleyball pits, Saturday, March 16 with a rain date of Saturday, March 23. Commerce Bank will sponsor the event.
Brad Baer reported the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival committee met on March 4, and are in the process of getting bids for the t-shirts, Christmas ornaments and are working on
finalizing some of the events. They will continue to meet the first Monday of each month.
The Scholarship Committee is working with the Guidance Counselor at California High School and will be reviewing the applicants after the deadline of April 20. A new points system score sheet is being developed to help with the selection process.
Dwight Sanders stated the Golf Tournament committee would hold its first meeting to begin planning for the June tournament. Corry Fields is the chair of this committee and invites anyone interested to contact him.
The next Chamber board meeting will be held Thursday, April 11, at 8 a.m. at the California City Hall meeting room.