EDITOR:
Short and Sweet, “If not now, when?” Five years ago there was a measure on the ballot to get funding for a new jail. It failed for a number of reasons. Now the jail is filled to capacity. Many “nonviolent” criminals are being released on bail or their own recognizance and we are paying to have inmates housed elsewhere at great expense and inconvenience for ongoing investigations…and the jail is in extreme disrepair. The big hubbub is about the $400 million price tag. But it’s not a price tag! The tax is to pay for the bonds that will not only build the new larger jail, but also pay for repairs to the old jail as well as convert other now unused rooms to help with the overall mission of the facility. In addition, the funds raised by the tax will pay for many if not all operational costs associated with the jail, including but not limited to salaries. Well, we could wait another five years. Costs will have increased. More inmates will have to be housed externally or given shortened sentences. Maybe the Supreme Court will interdict like they did in California and we will have a mass release because of the “…cruel and unusual punishment” clause in the U.S. Constitution.
Again.. short and Sweet, this tax removes the building and operation of the new jail and related upgrades from the general revenue funds for Platte County, ensuring that the jail will adequately perform its role in protecting the citizens of Platte County for decades. Isn’t that the primary role of government?
I highly recommend those with concerns or questions to attend the PCFRW meeting on July 15 (covered in last week’s issue) where the tax will be discussed at length by the Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker and Sheriff, Mark Owen, or contact your Platte County Commissioners.
I for one will be voting yes on the “Jail Tax.”
I’m not sure if Mr. Cook has issues with the tax, the commissioners or the jail. Perhaps he has a better solution to the problem? How many inmates is he willing to house in his home? Because there is no more room in the present jail.
The credit rating issue is because the county commissioners fought and won in the State Supreme Court to have the citizens of the county not be liable for over $40 million worth of bonds a previous commission agreed to but did not have the people vote on.
In reference to the assessor’s race. We dealt with Mr. Farr, who presently works for David Cox who brought us the property tax debacle of last year and other assessment issues. Our property taxes have gone up more than 40% since Cox was elected… and yours? Marcus was rude and condescending to us (especially to my wife) as well as to many others we have spoken with. If you wish a continuation of the present overbearing highhanded administration that has cost so many of us so much then he’s your guy. As for Dagmar Wood, she has served the people of Platte County well as first district commissioner. Note the aforementioned $40 million savings to the people. She was also pivotal in helping to properly administer the COVID funds to our struggling businesses instead of giving millions to KC’s Mayor Q, like he wanted.
--Victor McCance
Parkville
