Cape Girardeau residents weigh in on proposed restaurant tax increase

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau residents have an opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on a proposed restaurant tax increase that would help fund sports facility improvements.

The city hosted a public input session Monday to discuss the proposal, which would raise the restaurant tax from 1% to 2%. Another session is planned for Tuesday.

Parks and Recreation Director Doug Gannon says the existing restaurant tax helps fund the SportsPlex. The proposed increase would help pay for a SportsPlex expansion, four outdoor turf soccer fields and improvements to Capaha Field.

“There’s just a lot of questions, a lot of questions on the timing and the tax,” Gannon said. “I think that sometimes the word tax makes people nervous, but we have to keep this in perspective.”

The additional 1% would add 50 cents to a $50 restaurant bill or $1 to a $100 bill. The increase would require voter approval.

Gannon says the city’s existing sports facilities are well used, and the proposed improvements would create more space for local teams and opportunities to host visiting tournaments.

Community board member Philip Moore says Cape Girardeau does not currently have outdoor turf soccer fields. He says tournament organizers often book events months in advance, and turf could help address concerns about weather disrupting play.

Moore also points to spending by visitors who come to Cape Girardeau for sporting events.

“The basketball, volleyball, at the SportsPlex and all those things bring in a lot of revenue to the city and visitors of the city that spend money not only in restaurants and hotels, but they go to local businesses and spend money as well,” he said.

The connection between restaurant customers and sports facilities was among the questions raised in comments on FOX23’s previous Facebook post about the proposal.

Gannon says the existing 1% restaurant tax already helps fund the SportsPlex, and the proposed increase would extend that funding to additional sports facility improvements. He says the city wants to build on the use of its current facilities and create more opportunities for sports tourism.

Moore says tournaments bring visitors to Cape Girardeau who spend money at restaurants, hotels and other local businesses. He believes that activity benefits the broader community, including residents who do not use the sports facilities.

“A lot of visitors coming in to Cape are going to be funding a lot of the benefits that we have within the city, even if they’re not the direct recipient,” Moore said.

Local parent and coach Andrew Williams says he is passionate about youth sports and the continued growth of Cape Girardeau. He believes the proposed increase could bring value to the community by helping attract visitors.

Williams also says he wants city leaders to answer questions openly and recognize that some people may have concerns about a tax increase.

Gannon says the input sessions give attendees a chance to review the proposed projects, fill out questionnaires and offer suggestions.

“We just want people to come in and we want them to express their opinions and concerns, make comments, and we want to listen to what the citizens have to say so we can make decisions as we move forward,” he said.

A second public input session is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Shawnee Park Center. Residents can review the proposed projects, ask questions and share feedback in an open house format.

Those unable to attend either meeting can provide input through the city’s website: Cityofcapegirardeau.org/comment.