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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Raymond Beck, City Manager - (573) 874-6338

Mayor appoints citizens committee 

COLUMBIA, MO (September 6, 2005) -- Mayor Darwin Hindman announced the
appointment of a citizens committee to inform voters about the six
propositions that will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. The committee will hold
its initial meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Walton
Building, 300 South Providence Road.

Pat Hostetler and Dale Whitman will serve as committee co-chairs and Bo
Fraser will serve as treasurer.
Other committee members are :
Scott Atkins
Elaine Blodgett
Craig Brumfield
Bill Costello 
Charles Digges, Jr.
Wynna Faye Elbert
Bob Gerding
Dave Griggs
Kee Groshong
Brook Harlan
CK Hoenes
Karl Kruse
Teresa Maledy
Tom Mendenhall
Julie Middleton
Joe Moseley
Cindy Mustard
John Ott
Al Plummer
Vicki Russell
Mike Shirk
Mike Staloch
Ian Thomas
Bruce Walker
Skip Walther
Harold Warren
Randy Wright

The committee's goal is to provide information to the voting public
about the six propositions.

"I support all six of the propositions because I believe they will be
beneficial to the city of Columbia and its citizens," said Hindman.
"Parks facilities, public safety and streets are important in keeping
pace with the demands of Columbia's residents."

Ray Beck, city manager, added: "These ballot issues are the result of
much work on the part of the Council, staff and concerned citizens, in
determining the needs of the community. Meeting these community needs
requires that the voting public review and discuss the issues and then
participate in the voting process on election day."

The six propositions are:

Proposition 1, if approved, would extend the existing 1/8 cent Parks
tax for five years to fund renovation/improvements to existing parks,
acquisition/development of parks and additional trails and greenbelts.
Projected revenue from this issue is $12 million over five years. Should
both Propositions 1 and 2 be approved, the parks tax would be extended
for a total of seven years and the city would issue notes to allow
projects from both issues to proceed at the same time.

Proposition 2, if approved, would extend the existing 1/8 cent Parks
tax for an additional two years to fund the planning and development of
a multi-use recreation complex on city owned property at Ash and
Clinkscales (adjacent to the ARC). The complex would include facilities
for ice skating, youth and adult sports, a community farmer's market and
other indoor recreation programs. Projected revenue from this issue is
$5 million over two years. Should both Propositions 1 and 2 be approved,
the parks tax would be extended for a total of seven years and the city
would issue notes to allow projects from both issues to proceed at the
same time.

Proposition 3, if approved, would extend the existing 1/4 cent Capital
Improvement sales tax for three years to fund public safety capital
items for police, fire and emergency management. These projects include
scheduled replacement of fire trucks, construction of two new fire
stations, replacement of emergency storm warning sirens and funds for a
police training facility. Projected revenue from this issue is $15
million over three years. Should both Propositions 3 and 4 be approved,
the Capital Improvements sales tax would be extended for a total of 10
years and the city would issue notes to allow projects from both issues
to proceed at the same time.

Proposition 4, if approved, would extend the existing 1/4 cent Capital
Improvement sales tax for seven years to fund improvements to major
streets to relieve traffic congestion, and sidewalk improvements to
provide safe routes to schools and improve accessibility in the downtown
area for persons with disabilities. Projected revenue from this issue is
$35 million over seven years. Should both Propositions 3 and 4 be
approved, the Capital Improvements sales tax would be extended for a
total of 10 years and the city would issue notes to allow projects from
both issues to proceed at the same time.

Proposition 5, if approved, would add a 1/8 cent sales tax for streets
and sidewalks. Passage of this issue would allow the city to accelerate
improvements to major streets in order to relieve traffic congestion;
and construct sidewalks which provide safe routes to schools and improve
access for persons with disabilities in the downtown area. Revenue from
this issue is projected at $25 million over 10 years. 

Proposition 6, if approved, would allow an increase in the existing
"Development Fee" applied to all new construction resulting in new floor
area. This fee is earmarked for the construction/improvement of
collector and arterial streets. The fee is currently 10 cents per square
foot, which was approved by voters in 1989. Passage of Proposition 6
would allow the fee to increase to 50 cents per square foot. The fee
increase is anticipated to be phased in over four years and is expected
to provide $19 million over 10 years for major street improvements.

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