DEAR EDITOR, PLATTE COUNTY TAXPAYERS AND OFFICIALS OF PLATTE COUNTY:
I want to start by stating that I am neither opposed to nor supportive of the proposed jail tax increase. I “do not have a dog in this fight.” However, as a strong advocate for transparency and ethical governance, I am deeply concerned about the use of taxpayer funds by municipalities to influence taxpayers’ votes on tax increases.
In Missouri, the use of taxpayer funds by municipalities to influence votes on proposed tax increases is generally prohibited. Missouri law, as outlined in Section 115.646 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), clearly states that public funds cannot be used to support or oppose any ballot measure or candidate. This prohibition aims to ensure that taxpayer money is not used for political campaigning, thereby maintaining a fair and impartial electoral process.
Using taxpayer funds to influence taxpayers to increase their own taxes seems unethical. It raises questions about where the use of public funds to create influence stops. How much taxpayer money is too much to spend on trying to sway voters? It seems municipalities should refrain from lobbying and allow the news organizations to inform the public. Our First Amendment protections and the role of the news organizations were established to provide checks against unchecked governmental influence and power. However, in recent history, I have seen more instances of municipalities using taxpayer funds to influence elections.
Recent examples include the mailer about the jail tax that arrived this week, which appeared to be funded by county citizens. It included the required “paid for” disclaimer indicating it was paid for by Platte County, MO—essentially the taxpayers. Additionally, last year, Parkville conducted an “informational” campaign encouraging taxpayers to approve a tax increase. In both cases, municipalities claimed they were providing “facts” and urged voters to “get the facts” from city or municipal websites, also funded by taxpayers. The reality is that taxpayer funds were used to create and distribute these materials, making it clear these efforts were intended to influence voters. Furthermore, the “facts” as claimed by the municipality are disputed by many credible parties, making them opinions rather than facts. This further supports the view that these efforts constitute a lobbying campaign by the municipalities, which is unlawful as stated above.
Forcing taxpayers to fund campaigns advocating for initiatives they may not support is wrong and potentially illegal.
To the representatives in Platte County who decided to use taxpayer funds for this initiative, expect a Sunshine Law request seeking all records related to this initiative. I also request that the county take all necessary steps to preserve any documents or electronically stored information, regardless of form or format, that may be responsive to this initiative. This preservation request includes emails and electronic communications, whether hosted on private or public services or accounts, and encompasses any officers, directors, employees, or agents acting on behalf of the county, whether in their official or individual capacities.
Again, I do not have a “dog in this fight” and this is not personally directed at any Platte County official – it’s just about government accountability and the proper use of taxpayer funds.
--Jason Maki
Platte County
