By Chris OrletRecord Managing EditorTruesdale will not be getting back its old ZIP code.After a 30-year struggle to get back its ZIP code, the city received the U.S. Postal Service’s final decision on Jan. 15.“No.”Mayor Murray Bruer said he was not completely surprised by the response, which he said was similar to a form letter.“It certainly doesn’t solve our problem,” he said.Truesdale officials have long sought the return of 63380 as a way to curb the loss of sales tax revenue.When the Truesdale rural contract station closed in June 1979, Truesdale officials were promised they could keep the same 63380 ZIP code. However, by 1985 the U.S. Postal Service had revised its position and told Truesdale residents they had to use 63383.Over the years the new ZIP code has been a source of consternation to Truesdale residents. In 2006, Truesdale officials complained that residents using 63383 did not receive driver license renewal notices. And Truesdale companies seeking no tax due letters from the Missouri Department of Revenue were shown as not having a sales tax license because they were listed in the Warrenton city limits.The response, which came from the district manager of customer service in St. Louis, said Truesdale’s complaint is a common one throughout the country, but it was “not feasible” to reinstate the ZIP code.“Boundary lines for each ZIP code are established to form a pattern of delivery that makes the best possible use of postal resources and personnel over existing roads to help us provide prompt and accurate mail service,” the letter stated.Over the years Truesdale officials have talked to the U.S. Postal officials, state lawmakers, and U.S. congressmen, many of whom wrote letters on Truesdale’s behalf, but all without success.Last year city officials reached out to other local municipalities, to Gov. Jay Nixon, the city of Warrenton, the Warren County commissioners and the Warrenton Chamber of Commerce. The campaign concluded with a letter to the postmaster general.The Postal Service’s decision means the problems associated with sharing a ZIP code with Warrenton will continue. According to Bruer, Truesdale has lost sales tax revenue to Warrenton due to businesses using a Warrenton address.What’s more, some Truesdale residents have been charged a franchise tax for telephone service when the city does not have a franchise tax agreement with the phone company. The tax revenue is going to Warrenton, not Truesdale.In the letter to the city, Postal officials said: “It is unfortunate that ZIP codes are used for purposes for which they were not intended, particularly in the case of tax revenue distribution.”Postal officials then suggested the city take the issue up with the Missouri Public Service Commission, the regulatory agency responsible for telephone franchise fees validation.Bruer said he would try to work with the PSC regarding the fees.

TRUESDALE