Government & Politics

Kansas City earnings tax at the top of local funding issues in April 5 election

Voters took to the polls on a Tuesday morning in April, 2011 at Central United Methodist Church in Brookside. GARVEY SCOTT/The Kansas City Star 04052011
Voters took to the polls on a Tuesday morning in April, 2011 at Central United Methodist Church in Brookside. GARVEY SCOTT/The Kansas City Star 04052011 The Kansas City Star 04052011

Among all the issues on the ballot in Tuesday’s elections, the Kansas City earnings tax carries some of the highest stakes.

Voters will decide whether to renew the tax, which generates more than $230 million per year, or about 40 percent of the general fund for police, fire, ambulance, trash collection and street maintenance and other basic services.

Also on the ballot will be a series of other tax questions, school bond issues and candidates for municipal offices in Missouri, as well as a few local elections in Kansas.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Missouri and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Kansas.

In Independence, voters face a choice on an eighth-cent sales tax to pay for police department capital improvements. The tax would begin on Jan. 1, 2017, and continue through 2028.

One of the biggest school bond issues Tuesday will affect the Raymore-Peculiar School District. Voters will decide whether to let the district borrow $27 million for school construction, renovation and equipment.

The Oak Grove and Hickman Mills school districts also have bond issues on the ballot.

For more information about elections in Kansas City, visit kceb.org.

Some of the other election issues on the ballot Tuesday include:

Northmoor tax levy

The city may increase its tax levy by 13.22 cents.

Oak Grove sales tax

The city may implement a half-cent sales tax to pay for public projects, including moving City Hall and the police station.

Raymore street bonds

Raymore may issue $3.3 million in general obligation bonds for street construction and improvements.

Raymore park bonds

The city may issue $6.75 million in general obligation bonds for park and recreation improvements.

Central Jackson County Fire Protection District bonds

The fire district may issue $4 million in general obligation bonds for facilities and equipment.

Hickman Mills School District bond issue

The district may issue $19 million in general obligation bonds for school construction and renovation.

Oak Grove School District bond issue

The district may borrow $2.9 million for school improvements.

This story was originally published April 3, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Kansas City earnings tax at the top of local funding issues in April 5 election."

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