‘No way in hell’: KCK mayor’s tax proposal gets rocky reception from commissioners
Tyrone Garner, mayor of Kansas City, Kansas and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, caught heat from commissioners Thursday night as he unveiled a proposal that could effectively cut the government budget by $13.6 million in the next fiscal year.
The proposal would lower the property tax levy by nearly 8.6 percentage points and raise sales taxes — only in Kansas City, Kansas — by a half-penny until 2032. Proceeds from the increased sales tax are earmarked for city and county development projects and paying down debt.
Projections from UG staff estimate that the raised sales tax would bring $17 million to the government’s coffers in its first year, and $196 million over its lifespan, but the measure depends on the approval of Wyandotte County voters.
Commissioners voiced concerns about the timing of the proposal and a potential impact on government services. Several criticized the rollout of the plan during what they thought should be a first round of budget talks focused on broader goals.
“I just think that we have gone to strategy before vision,” said Brian McKiernan, District 2. “We’ve gone to strategy before priority. We’ve gone to strategy before considering the needs of the community. And ultimately, I believe that is a very short sighted approach.”
Commissioner Christian Ramirez, District 3, called the mayor’s idea “aggressive and fast.” He noted a recent community survey that showed poor appetite for a sales tax increase, casting doubt on whether that measure would be approved by voters.
“If we just put it on the ballot, it’s not going to pass,” Ramirez said.
Commissioner Mike Kane, District 5, said he supported lowering property taxes to a degree. But he also cited concerns with current city worker wages and job vacancies, including fire dispatchers, saying the presented plan was not something he could consider.
“I wouldn’t vote on it. No way in hell. And I’m embarrassed to be a commissioner right now,” Kane said in perhaps the most fiery remarks of the evening.
Mayor Garner, responding to the criticisms, reminded commissioners that his proposal was only that — a proposal. He said he is open to input from other elected leaders and especially community members as the budget process moves forward.
But the first-term mayor also signaled a deep commitment to lowering property taxes in Wyandotte County. He said people of all incomes, from developers to those faced with losing their homes, are telling him the same thing.
“I’m going to fight for this community,” Garner said. “And people are telling me that their taxes are too high.”
The mayor wants the sales tax increase to appear on the Aug. 2 primary ballot. For that to happen, the Unified Government is facing an estimated deadline of May 9 to bring the proposal before the Economic Development and Finance Committee.
