More news, less commentary in this version of Between the Lines. Because I want to be sure everyone has a heads-up about local matters of importance. And by that I mean the abundance of springtime political questions and answers approaching. It’s important to remember that the politicians pose the questions, but you as the voter provide the answers. Unless the question is a children’s services tax, in which case it doesn’t matter what voters say, apparently.
Don’t look now but it’s time to start focusing on the issues and candidates who will be gracing your local election ballot come Tuesday, April 8. It’s going to be an active election day and weeks leading up to it, with local topics like city questions, city candidates, school district questions, school board candidates, and fire districts, ambulance districts, etc. looking for guidance from their voters and taxpayers. (They can’t ignore or overrule outcomes of public elections this spring, can they? Because that would be weird and ill-advised. . . , wouldn’t it?)
Anyway, let’s talk about some of the ballot highlights to come.
City of Platte City will have four questions on the ballot.
*Shall the city’s mayors in future elections have terms of four years instead of two? (I live outside the city limits of Platte City so do not get a vote, but as a fan of good local government I do have a suggestion for you. I would vote no on this, and we’ll get into greater details as to why in a future column).
*Shall city aldermen from this point forward serve a four year term instead of the current two year terms? (Again, I would suggest a no vote on this and I’ll get into more details at a later time).
*Shall the city begin a sales tax of three percent on adult use marijuana?
*Shall the city impose a five percent tax on hotel/motel rooms?
Alderman ward three will be a contested race between Amber Brune and Ken Graham. Brune has already put out a press release announcing her candidacy and over the weekend I noticed at least one Brune sign placed in a highly visible spot. Haven’t heard anything from Graham as of yet. Winner replaces John Higgins on the board, as he opted not to seek reelection after many years in office.
Two aldermen positions at City of Parkville have contested races:
Alderman ward two between incumbent Brian Whitley and challenger Lovell Holloway.
Alderman ward four race features three candidates: Evan Maxon, Abby LacKamp, and Wendy Murphy.
City of Tracy has a question on whether to impose a local use tax.
City of Weatherby Lake has a contested race for alderman for the west ward between Doug Richmond and Paula York.
Weatherby Lake will also be asking its voters for a tax levy increase of 31.83 cents per $100 valuation.
City of Weston has a contested race for mayor between Kim Kirby, who is a former city clerk, and Allison Roberts. Weston also has a contested race for alderman in ward two among three candidates: Jerry Gross, Bradley Wright and Tim Penrod.
City of Houston Lake has a question on whether to continue an existing levy of 52.57 cents of $100 valuation for an additional four years for fire suppression services.
The Northland Regional Ambulance District is asking voters to approve the district borrowing money in the amount of $15.1 million for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, operating new and existing facilities of the district, including without limitation a new headquarters station and education center, acquiring land for and constructing a new satellite station in Smithville; and renovating and improving an existing station in Platte City. District would issue bonds for the payment.
Here’s another one that will get a lot of attention as the entity aims to become a full time department. The Central Platte Fire District is asking voters to approve a 17-cent tax levy increase “for the purpose of hiring additional firefighters to reach 24/7 staffing levels, covering additional expenses and training requirements.” The district’s current tax levy is 27.57 cents, so it would be more than a 60% tax increase. In a recent Facebook posting, the fire district says “the last time we requested a tax levy increase was 25 years ago, and since then we have voluntarily reduced our tax rate to a level lower than it was in 1999. Despite growing demands and rising costs, we have worked hard to be fiscally responsible while maintaining service–but now additional funding is needed to keep up with the needs of our community.”
As The Landmark first reported recently, Park Hill School District has two tax increase proposals on the ballot (and that’s generating some feedback, see letter to editor on this page).
Proposition G at Park Hill would require just a simple majority for passage. It would increase the operating tax levy by 10 cents per $100 for the purpose of “paying teachers and staff competitive salaries and benefits.”
Proposition O at Park Hill requires four-sevenths majority for passage. It asks the voters to approve an issue of general obligation bonds in the amount of $128 million for facilities improvements, including phase one of the replacement of Park Hill High School, as well as stadium and field improvements at Park Hill South High School, and additions to various elementary schools, as well as the purchase of land. If approved, this would increase the debt service portion of the district’s levy from .5601 currently to .8601 per $100 assessed valuation.
There is plenty of ballot action at the Platte County R-3 School District, as well. R-3 is asking for permission to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $62 million for facilities improvements for things such as completing phase two of rebuilding Platte County High School, creating a consolidated high school building with all classrooms under one roof, site amenities at Platte Purchase Middle School activities complex, constructing playground facilities at Pathfinder Elementary School, and making hard surface improvements at Compass Elementary School to expand parking and improve traffic flow and safety. A four-sevenths majority vote is required for passage. The district claims that if this issue passes there will not need to be an increase in the district’s current debt service levy of $1.1789 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Platte County R-3 also has a contested school board race. There are three candidates competing for two open seats. Candidates are Shawn Chiddix (of Kansas City, 64153), Alisha Elliott (of Kansas City, 64155) and John Ready (of Platte City).
Yes, it’s going to be a busy political spring. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
(Find Foley poring over page after page of sample ballots in Platte County. Entertain him with an email to ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
