Suburban voters say yes to most ballot issues

Voters in suburban cities Tuesday decided bond issues, sales taxes to improve streets and sewer systems, and whether to support fire protection services.

Blue Springs voters approved a $28 million general bond issue to improve Woods Chapel Road and several other roads. They also approved $35 million in revenue bonds to enlarge the sewage plant, which needs an upgrade to meet coming environmental regulations and future growth.

Woods Chapel Road will be widened to help ease traffic congestion that has been a headache to residents for years.

Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross said the bonds would keep the city moving forward. He noted the road bonds do not require a tax increase and the sewer plan would use Missouri’s revolving fund, saving about $12 million.

“Our feeling was, if we got the message out, people would support it,” Ross said.

In Leawood, the one-eighth cent sales tax passed and will add to the city’s 1.4-cent sales tax. This was the third time the city asked voters to renew the tax.

The additional sales tax will bring in $720,000 more each year, said Kathy Rogers, the city’s director of finance. In the past decade, the Leawood Public Works Department has used the money to replace curbs and repave streets.

The department also will use the money to replace and upgrade existing storm sewers.

In Blue Springs and Grain Valley, voters approved a $5 million bond issue and a half-cent sales tax for the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. The bonds will finance new fire trucks, an ambulance and protective clothing and will upgrade communications. The sales-tax revenue will allow officials to hire more personnel.

In the Smithville Fire Protection District, voters rejected two upgrades. They voted against an $11 million general obligation bond issue and a 60-cent increase in the operating fund tax levy. The passage of both would have put stations near most city neighborhoods and increase staffing levels, Fire Chief John Callahan said.

Grandview voters approved a $7.5 million bond issue to improve the parks system, including a spray ground at John Anderson Park and a dog park at Meadowmere Park.

The Star’s Jennifer Bhargava, Karen Uhlenhuth and Bill Graham contributed to this report.