Proposal to put half-cent sales tax hike on ballots in Kansas City, Kansas, tabled
Mayor Tyrone Garner’s hopes for including a half-cent sales tax hike on ballots this year in Kansas City, Kansas, ended Thursday during a meeting where some county commissioners expressed frustration that the proposal was still being considered.
“I feel as though we are wasting time,” Commissioner Andrew Davis, District 8, said during a contentious moment of the meeting. “I feel as though in March, it was very clear on where the commission was.”
Garner appeared bothered by Davis’ comments.
“If you think you’re wasting your time, then why are you here?” he asked. “The people of this community want you to make these hard decisions.”
Thursday’s meeting marked the third time since March that commissioners with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, along with the mayor, discussed the proposal to raise sales tax by a half-penny until 2032.
Commissioner Christian Ramirez, District 3, asked Garner to meet with the commission in the middle, saying the mayor has not properly communicated with the governing body throughout the process.
“When have you asked, ‘OK, I see you guys don’t agree with this, what would you like to see,’” Ramirez said. “That has not happened.”
UG staff estimated that the sales tax increase would bring $17 million to the government’s coffers in its first year, and $196 million over its lifespan.
During a special session Thursday, commissioners viewed a presentation showing initiatives the half-cent sales tax could help fund.
The projects included:
- Two new Kansas City, Kansas Police Department patrol stations, one in the northeast and the other in western Kansas City, Kansas. Each station would likely cost $10 million.
- Building or reconstructing six fire stations at a total cost of at least $51 million.
- Constructing a new recreation center with an indoor pool, multiple sports courts and fitness equipment at a $35 million price tag.
Some commissioners raised concerns. Gayle Townsend, Commissioner for District 1, said she liked the idea of a new rec center with an indoor pool, but wanted to know how it would be staffed when there are already challenges finding lifeguards for Parkwood Pool.
“These things I think we need to deal with at a later time,” Townsend said.
Several commissioners believe Wyandotte County voters are unlikely to pass the tax hike and at the meeting Thursday, convinced Garner to table including the sales tax measure on ballots until 2023.
