• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Weekly Pickem Updates
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Weekly Pickem Updates
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
No Result
View All Result
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
No Result
View All Result

Vote no on community college question

Landmark Digital by Landmark Digital
March 11, 2021
in Letters to the Editor
Vote no on community college question
24
SHARES
597
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

EDITOR:

On the April 6 ballot, there will be a question that is deceptive and will secretly raise our taxes. If passed, the Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City will annex the following school districts: Platte County R-3, Kearney R-I, Smithville R-II, Liberty Public Schools, Grain Valley R-IV, Oak Grove R-VI, Harrisonville R-IX, and Raymore-Peculiar R-II school districts.

RelatedNews

Get public input on future of Parkville’s Ethics Commission

Do we need a bigger jail in Platte County?

Feds send message to judges about incarcerations

The ballot language for our district is as follows: “For the purpose of providing greater affordable access to quality higher education by providing in-district tuition rates for residents within the Platte County R-3 School District, shall the Platte County R-3 School District be attached to The Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri, effective the 22nd day of April 2021? Vote YES or NO.”

The resolution proposed by this junior college intends to offer reduced tuition rates by raising our property and real estate taxes. A state statute gives them sole authority to do this if the voters approve. These taxes are raised by adding an additional tax levy of $0.2128 assessed value per $100.

For example, if your home is appraised at $150,000, you will pay an additional $61 per year. Again, there is no mention of a tax increase in the ballot question. This is deceptive.

I assume the tax will benefit a small number of students going to this local college. But for most taxpayers, like seniors or those who have selected other colleges for their children, there is no benefit for Platte County property holders to subsidize this junior college.

The public deserves a full accounting of how this tax revenue will be spent. Does R-3 agree with the annexation? Why does the ballot question fail to mention a tax increase? What are the metrics that determined the levy rate? As far as we know, there is no sunset for this tax.

I strongly recommend a NO vote on this initiative. We need more details, but what we do not need are higher taxes within school districts that are already in major debt. Finally, it is interesting that tax increases are placed on April ballots, which have the lowest voter turn-out. Wonder why?

–Mike Stark

Platte City

Tags: electionsplatte cityplatte countytaxes
Landmark Digital

Landmark Digital

Related Posts

Letter to the Editor

Get public input on future of Parkville’s Ethics Commission

by Landmark Digital
June 4, 2023
0

EDITOR: I am writing to share an article (below) which was recently posted on a local citizens group website. I believe this information urgently needs to be brought to the attention of our Parkville area residents. I am a fervent...

Fender bender preceded fatal Northmoor shooting

Fender bender preceded fatal Northmoor shooting

by Landmark Digital
June 3, 2023
0

VICTIM WAS SHOT FROM JUST INCHES AWAY The Platte County Prosecutor's Office has filed charges against Phillip J. Frazier, age 50, of Northmoor, in the death of Cody J. Steffen, 32, also of Northmoor, which is located in southern Platte...

45 Years Ago–June 9, 1978

by Ivan Foley
June 2, 2023
0

Douglas Lee Barton of Platte City was selected for the Leavenworth Eagles Area 55 All-Star team which took second place in the Fort Leavenworth Tournament on June 4. The Eagles defeated the Liberty Merchants 8-4 on May 29 and advanced...

30 Years Ago–May 28, 1993

by Ivan Foley
June 2, 2023
0

Karen Seckel was hired as the new principal at North Platte Elementary School at Camden Point. “I was pleased that we have a qualified candidate within the school district. She is a quality individual,” said Dr. Francis Moran, R-1 superintendent....

Next Post
Politics doesn’t belong in public health

Politics doesn't belong in public health

Popular News

  • Chaves Development at Ambassador Building

    Development coming near Ambassador Building

    195 shares
    Share 78 Tweet 49
  • Fender bender preceded fatal Northmoor shooting

    49 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 12
  • Park Hill student killed in crash

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • Born at just over 1.5 pounds, Baby Van home after 139 days

    25 shares
    Share 10 Tweet 6
  • Landmark English Award

    9 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 2
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Call us at 816-858-0363

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Online
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem
    • Login / Sign-up
    • Results by Week
    • The Leaderboard
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved