There are neighborhoods and streets you can drive down in Kansas City’s 3rd District that look as if time has stood still.
You’ll find streets with no sidewalks and potholes so deep they resemble craters on the moon.
But those conditions aren’t found only in the 3rd District. You’re sure to find similar deferred maintenance needs spread out over the 4th, 5th and 6th council districts.
That’s what happens when a city’s budget gets tight and something has to be placed on the back burner. It’s what happens when a city like Kansas City is forced to defer, defer, defer.
In fact, the basic infrastructure needs in each of the six council districts are extensive.
That’s what should give the renewal of a sales tax earmarked for major infrastructure and capital improvement a solid chance when it comes up for a vote early next month. Voters go to the polls Nov. 6 to decide whether they will support a 10-year extension of the sales tax.
To begin to appreciate what’s at stake, look no further than Freedom Inc.’s recent change of heart.
At a meeting Oct. 9, the Freedom board voted to oppose the renewal of the sales tax increase.
That vote reflected discontent with Funkhouser’s relationship with some council members, dissatisfaction with negotiations on a new contract with the city manager and, of course, other issues.
But after that first vote, Craig Bland, president of Freedom Inc., wasn’t prepared to give up. This is his first stint leading the traditionally black political club. And because he’s just getting started, Bland didn’t want the organization’s first initiative under his leadership to go down in flames, especially when so much was at stake.
Determined to find some common ground, Bland gathered all the information on the sales tax he could.
At the top of the list of concerns was the fear that the council districts that need the revenue the most haven’t received their fair share. Currently, 30 percent of the tax revenue goes for neighborhood projects, a percentage that would increase to 35 percent, divided equally among the six council districts if the measure is approved. The proposal also requires 15 percent of the revenue go toward reducing that deferred maintenance.
Armed with more data and assurances that projects in the urban core would receive consideration, Bland went back to his board. Last week, the organization voted to reverse its previous decision and back the sales tax renewal. Earlier this week, Bland said the right decision was made.
“We have to be a model city,” Bland said. “There are some things that we’re behind other cities on, like light rail. We’re trying to put Freedom in a position where we deal with everybody. We need to move the organization in a direction that not only encompasses African-Americans but also benefits everybody that wants the city to move forward.”
Voters on Nov. 6 need to have tunnel vision when they walk into the voting booth. They must set the controversy involving Frances Semler, a park board member who is a member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, to the side. The sales tax and the Semler controversy are completely different issues with no connection.
Sure, there will be voters angry over the controversy who will use the opportunity to cast a protest vote. But there will also be voters who feel sympathy for the mayor and see an affirmative vote as a way to show their support.
The bottom line is, Funkhouser deserves the opportunity to improve overall conditions in Kansas City. It’s the big issue he campaigned on.
If you need evidence of just how important a positive vote on the issue is, consider that Freedom Inc. opposed the mayor during the election, backing Alvin Brooks instead. Now Freedom Inc. is putting that in the past for the overall good of the city.
The sales tax extension won’t necessarily take care of the entire backlog of deferred maintenance. But it will keep the city from drowning under the weight of it all. And that’s important.
If the ballot issue goes down in flames, neither Funkhouser nor Freedom Inc. will be losers. The only losers will be the residents of Kansas City whose deferred maintenance has been deferred long enough.
Join the discussion
Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.