Sunday, December 2, 2007

Walmart TIF Explained

It has been nearly two weeks since I last posted. My apologies for being late. The Thanksgiving Holiday were busy. That, and the crush of business has taken up a lot of my time. So, I have some catching up to do . . . from my reading of the posts, it is clear that explanation called for in explaining how the TIF created by the city for Walmart works. Raytown Live is the name given to the TAX INCRMENT FINANCING District where the new Walmart Super Center is to be constructed next summer. Call it what you will – the TIF is there for two purposes: 1. To build a new votech school for the School District. 2. To pay for the infrastructure (parking lot, buildings, etc.) for Walmart RAYTOWN’S WALMART TIF: Tax Increment Financing is the term given to the practice of creating a taxing district and using the tax collected to finance the commercial entity within the district. Most TIF’s are written in such a way that a 1% sales tax increase is split between the community (in this case the City of Raytown) with the other half to the development. Raytown’s Walmart TIF does not work that way. In the Raytown Live TIF District most of the sales tax dollars collected will go to pay for the building of the new votech school and the new Walmart. That sales tax revenue collected includes the city’s regular 1% sales tax, the Fire District’s ½% sales tax and the special transportation sales tax voters recently approved to pay for street overlay. To appreciate the enormity of the bite the TIF district is taking out the city’s sales tax one need only look to the sales tax revenue collected by the current Walmart Store located at 67th and Blue Ridge Cutoff. That location collects 12% of the city’s sales tax dollars. The difference between the old Walmart and the one to be built on 350 Highway is that the 12% collected at the current location goes directly to the city’s coffers. The sales tax at the new location will not go to the city, but to pay off the debt of the infrastructure costs of the school district and Walmart. Since the new Walmart will be larger and have a grocery store it will create more than 12% of the city’s sales tax revenue. Some place the additional sales tax as capable of creating up to 18% of the city’s sales tax revenue. The point is, the amount will be greater than the current 12% -- whatever that figure is, it represents money that will not be available to maintain our streets, remove snow, pay police, etc. Raytown’s TIF is also unique in another way. It has the full faith of the city behind it. That means that if the new Walmart does not meet the anticipated income levels to pay off the debt, the city is obligated to pay the debt for Walmart. The majority of the city’s fathers are betting that other development will take place in property adjacent to the new Walmart to make up the difference created by the debt service. Time will tell whether or not that scheme is successful. In the meantime, look for tight city budgets in the near future. STREETLIGHTS – THE LAST WORD Back in October, the Board of Aldermen approved a $10,000 expenditure for new street lights in Raytown. At the meeting former City Finance Director Dan Estes opined that the $10,000 could buy about 19 new street lights. Fortunately, Mr. Estes was wrong. At its last meeting, the Municipal Committee was told that an additional 53 lights will be installed. A spokesman for the Public Works Department said the lights should be installed by late spring. ZIP CODES . . . AGAIN!!! Ward 4 Alderman Pat Ertz wants Raytown to have just one zip code. Sounds innocent enough at first glance, but, as with all things, the devil is in the details. During a recent meeting of the Board of Aldermen, Ward 3 Alderman Christine White told the Board that changing the zip codes could create a hardship on businesses and individuals who have to change their stationary, billing forms, etc. I agree with Christine. And, remember, I am in the printing business. It will cause an expensive hardship on those it affects. It really does not matter. Having dealt with the United States Postal Service for the past 30 years, I can assure the readers that the Post Office will not change postal zip code lines to meet a city’s boundary any more than the Election Board will make state representative district lines fall along city borders. The reason is simple and logical. Zip codes are created to help with sorting the mail. To change the zip code in the middle of a large metropolitan area would create a ripple effect throughout Kansas City of astronomical costs. AREA CODES NEXT? A local wit tells a story of a Raytown Reaching for Tomorrow meeting. A lot of the folks at the meeting were clamoring for one zip code for Raytown. One gentleman got up and explained that it would be difficult because Raytown is served by three zip codes (most thought it was two). This caused quite an uproar. Until another gentleman rose to explain that the previous speaker was correct – and this speaker has credentials – he worked for the post office. On the way out of the meeting the first speaker tapped the postman on the shoulder and whispered to him, “watch out, next week they plan to go after the area codes!”

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

The biggest problem is the City Administrator Miller. He has no clue about anything but his fat paycheck. He has created an environment where no one trust city hall. He can blame the past administration, finance personnel or code official for any wrong doing but ultimately he is responsible. He is good at pointing fingers but when he is going to take responsibilities. Employee has no trust in him, elected official has no trust in him. He knows that we can not get rid of him because it will cost huge amount to the city and tax payers. So, do nothing, create turmoil, provide false information, point fingers at hard working city employees, and if the elected official decide to fire Miller, He would be happy to accept huge settlement.

How much more this town has to suffer? Miller is the problem Mayor. Public want action even if it is for a short term cost the city money but for a long term it may be the best decision you make. Please listen to tax payer, staff members and general employees and you will get the signal.

Andy Whiteman said...

What is the 3rd Zip Code in Raytown? I checked a map and only find 64133 and 64138. That is assuming the map is correct.(The map shows 2 Blue Ridge Malls one being in Raytown so I wonder.) I was told the the Raytown Post Office serves a 3rd Zip on a rural route which is not located in Raytown.

I really doubt that business people would print new stationary and business cards for a Zip Code change! Now if it was an Area Code Change or street name/address change, they would have to get new stationary. An Area Code change allows a time period of allowing both old or new AC to be dialed, then gives a recording directing to the new AC before finally resorting to a not in service recording. I am sure the Post Office would allow phase in time and allow use of the old Zip Code(s). I really doubt any business person would order new stationary with the new Zip until they needed new stationary.

I agree with Greg that the Post Office probably won't change a Zip because of a request, but I have seen ZIP Code changes because it suited the Post Office's needs! Do businesses in those areas have a choice? I bet they don't waste money on new stationary.

When I was sorting mail in Littleton, CO; that city had previously changed from a local street numbering system to a Denver Metro grid system with many addresses changed. In order to sort mail with old addresses, it was necessary to ask an older coworker for the translation of old to new. The old addresses continued to be used for many years (especially at Christmas). It seemed like many people use the old address until they moved or died.

I remember the old days when each city had their own Post Office but in cost cutting measures the Post Offices are consolidated with other cities. I agree with Greg that the Post Office probably won't change Zip Codes because it is requested. Actually 2 Zips would be needed because there are 2delivery stations (one on 63rd & one on Raytown Rd & 87th). Each would require a Zip plus the old Zips for the areas outside of Raytown they are serving.

I remember when the Post Office went to AMP (Area Mail Processing) with mail cancelled and processed at a central location rather than the local Post Office. When this started up, the PO promised a slot for LOCAL POSTMARK. Now, these LOCAL POSTMARK slots no longer exist or if they do, a local post mark is NOT received.

The problem with the current Zip Codes is they are branches of the Kansas City PO. I do most of my shopping on the internet. When computers "see" 64133 or 64138 they think the person lives in Kansas City. I have had to argue with customer service reps that I am NOT in Kansas City. I ordered parts from Sears and the sales tax went to KC not Raytown. There could be a large amount lost on incorrect sales tax reporting. If someone has a delivery of furniture or appliances from another part of the area, I question if Raytown gets the tax money or if it goes to KC because of the Zip?

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

This Walmart TIF has placed this city in debt for next twenty five years. With the hope that other development may occur because of Walmart. This is to me is a gambling. Walmart has a history of destroying a community. They threat to move out of Raytown and city bend over and gave them farm. People made this deal is no longer with the city and those who inherited it, are leaving town. It is unfortunate for Raytown that Miller was unsuccessful of obtaining job in Alaska. He can not get rid of incompetent person. He is running away good employees. He is the worst communicator. Chief has explained how in council meeting how Miller communicated during budget process. Horrible!!
What it will take? More debt, more study, more expense and no result. Really sad story.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe it but, I just read it in the KC Star so it must be ture. We are going to have a 79 year old male on the BOA!!!! I don't have anything aganist having a black male on the BOA but 79!!!! Come on, all we here from the mayor is how we want to attract young families to Raytown well I think we need young blood with fresh ideas. We already have Hamilton and Aziere we don't need another senior. I guess the real person to thank is Barb Schlapia, let's just pray she dosen't get in a shouting match with this person.

Pat Casady said...

Raytown businesses and citizens should feel they have been assassinated by our own City Hall.
I don't mean any new faces I mean all past and still present elected officials except for maybe one or two.
They have sold Raytown's soul to the devil. What were these people
thinking? I knew Curt Wenson could sell ice to Eskimo's but this is too much. For them to think that a Wal-Mart Super Center would bring
in new businesses is laughable. If they had any business sense at
all they would know it will kill off any business around it within a ten mile radius and that pretty much takes out most of Raytown.
Think about it for a minute.....no sales tax going to the city for maybe twenty years.

Wal-Mart gets a free building, gets to keep sales tax money, money that should go to the city and at the same time put almost every other business in
town out of business. That means very little sales tax coming in for
twenty years! Way to go City Hall!

I tell you between one city employee and Wal-Mart running
business out of town, it will be a miracle if this town even survives
another twenty years.
This is NOT MOVING RAYTOWN FORWARD!
This is like a contest between Wal-Mart and the school district to see who can get the most taxpayer money in their coffers first.

I don't know if this could be stopped but if it can it should be before it's too late for this great little town. Raytown doesn't deserve this.
Our city should kick out Wal-Mart and try for a Home Depot or Lowe's
They seem to coexist with most if not all other businesses and Raytown lost it's lumber yard several years ago.

Please remember what some of these elected officials have done to this
town and show them how you feel come next election and get them the Hell out of there!

Anonymous said...

Pat Ertz is fast becoming the biggest BOOB on the board of aldermen. First he bring ups fireworks, an issue that was settled 20 some years ago. It will further divide our community and will do nothing about addressing our real problems of generating revenue. Now to the zip codes, probably 99% of our residents could care less as long as we are getting our mail delivered. And yes Pat, there are businesses that actually want a Kansas City zip code. Those that do business out of state want people to readily identify with Kansas City. To your surprise not everyone in the US will ever identify with Raytown, but most all know where Kansas City is. Wonder what ever happened to all those ideas that were generated from the BOA goal setting session. Must have been a total washout if all we can come up with are stupid ideas such as this. Let's just start calling Mr. Ertz, TRIVIAL PAT.

Andy Whiteman said...

What is wrong with a 79 year old Alderperson? What are his wualifications? With age comes experience. Federal law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, or disability.

***************
The plain fact about fireworks is the ordinance is unenforceable! Last July, they could be heard INSIDE of City Hall at the BOA meeting! I found discharged aerial fireworks about 300 feet from the suspected source. This was the first year that I did not find discharged fireworks in my yard. I had to call the Police at 2AM because the fireworks were disturbing my dog.

An ordinance is obviously useless if it has been unenforceable for 20 years. I favor a safe and sane fireworks ordinance that allows them to go no higher than 6 feet with nothing propelled into the air. Also fireworks should be discharged by an adult or supervised by an adult!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Enforcement comes with a police department that WANTS to enforce it. I have watched the police turn their head to individuals that were shooting off fireworks over the years. What will it be next that we can't enforce, speeding, murder? This city has a reputation of only enforcing what it wants to.

Anonymous said...

Andy,

You make a very good point about not releasing personal information in a public venue.

I understand why you gave the P.O. Box number. At the same time, I do not really think it is proper for others to give a business address as their home address. It is misleading and skirts the issue of residency entirely.

Greg Walters

Anonymous said...

Oh, forgot to mention. The third zip code in Raytown is 64129.

Anonymous said...

To anonymous 8:07 am. You are right, I now remember Barb Schlapia's run in with a lady member of our minority community in the parking lot of Raytown city hall. Shortly after that is when the NAACP and the Justice Department started taking a closer look at city government. It will be interesting to see if she votes to confirm Mr. Sargeon.

Anonymous said...

Don’t kid yourself the 350 projects biggest cost is the votech school, the school at one point would not accept that the computers and servers were to be moved only new stuff you can’t move routers switches and hub and most of the time you can’t even move computers. The real cost is this is not keeping Wal-Mart happy but keeping the school district happy. I read were Independence and Kansas City are swapping schools and such to place there district closer or on the city line I would think this would be a bigger thing then changing zip codes but then I could not even get a meeting with the schools superintendant and I was an city alderman!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Bower made a great choice in choosing Mr. Sargeon as alderman. Mr. Sargeon is extremely qualified:
Taken from the KC Star 12/1/07:
Sargeon, 79, is a retired human-resource manager for the U.S. Postal Service and a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission. He also is a member of the Raytown Human Relations Commission, which in August hosted a program to showcase citizens’ readiness to embrace diversity and the rapid demographic changes in a city once notorious for racism.

“I haven’t thought of it that way, but I suppose it could be a plus, a positive,” Sargeon said about the significance of his appointment. “Raytown has had an image as regards minorities that was not the most desirable, and we’ve been working to change that image. I just want to make the community the best it could be.”

Pat Casady said...

Let me try and ask this in a simple way.
Raytown is now receiving sales tax from every retail store in town.
Out of all sales tax collected, Wal-Mart makes up 12% of collected
money.
When the new Super store opens it's doors, Raytown will cease to
collect sales tax from Wal-Mart for over twenty years.
Also when Wal-Mart's Super store opens Raytown will lose most if
not all other retail stores in town.
My question is this, when does Raytown become Kansas City?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 12-3, 3;47pm,

You are absolutely correct in laying the problem with the NAACP and the Justice Dept. and City Hall is in Barb's lap. If it were not for her the city would not be obligated to let the NAACP come in whenever they want to look at the Police Dept. records. It was also our Chief of Police that help set that up. If you ever feel like that you need to see the document it is Called the Memorandum of Understanding and it is a public document voted on by the BOA and past in open session.

Barbara mouth gets her in a lot of trouble but she also has another problem as well and anyone who knows her well knows what that would be. Ask anyone who really knows her.

I do not however, feel that Mr. Sargeon should be bashed because of Barb, he had nothing to do with that problem nor should he because he is 79 years of age. I know a lot of seniors that are sharper than a most of the young people out there today and a hack of a lot more dependable. Let's give him a chance before we thrash him.

Andy Whiteman said...

Pat makes a good point about the new Walmart but would KC want to annex Raytown with 12% (or more assuming the new Walmart increases sales volume) of the sales tax base of the area missing? Maybe Raytown will unincorporate then the county would have to maintain the roads and sewer system.

Andy Whiteman

Andy Whiteman said...

A reminder if you receive your property tax bill that payment is due by December 31st. Pay it at City Hall and the city receives a percentage for collecting it!

Unfortunately people who have mortgages don't receive a bill and have NO knowledge of where their tax dollar go. I called the County and they REFUSE to mail out tax bills even if requested.

When tax elections come up for the city, school district, or fire district, people have NO knowledge how much they are already paying. Apparently an uninformed public is a more generous public at the poles!

If you can get your tax bill, look at it. 62% of my taxes go to the school district. That is outrageous. Remember it when the next school bond election comes up!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Walters...it's time for you to get control of this mud-slinging pit of garbage that you've created.

Anonymous 12/4 10:37 has the cojones to insinuate that one of the aldermen has a "problem". SIGN YOUR NAME if you're going to make accusations like that!!! If you don't have the GUTS to put your name on that gossip and innuendo then SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!

Walters, I know that you specialize in under-handed slander and gossip-mongering by uninformed, ill-tempered, misinformed and misguided dolts...but this one takes the cake.

And anonymous, offer proof. Sign your name so that we know who is slandering public officials with this malicious gossip..so that the official can sue your rear end off!

Anonymous said...

Okay Barb... I will sign it just for your benefit.

Sincerely,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Thats funny!

Anonymous said...

You just have to have a good laugh every once in a while!

Anonymous said...

Thank you! That's why I'm watching the city council right now! That too is funny...would be funnier if it wasn't costing us another staff member and remodeling.
Mayor didn't seem to like Mr. Walters questioning that. Too funny!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The defnition of "irony" is: Carol Bernett's created "Momma's Family" starring Vicki Lawrence is on TV opposite the board of aldermen meeting, time slot wise. Carol started the show after getting a speeding ticket in Raytown back in the Bealer days...and realizing that she was in a city of hoosiers. Momma's Family and the BOA is the same show.

Anonymous said...

After 10 pm the city channel had Michael Miller explaining how $20,000 just slipped by him on the city newsletter and how the newsletter wasn't reaching the citizens. Why don't we have him cough that up from his salary? These people at city hall are jus too s------.... If you play word games you'll understand.

Anonymous said...

Here's to laughing all the way---Whats the matter did someone step on your toes. Buck up buster it's not over yet.

Pat Casady said...

Speaking of "Irony."
Is it just me or does anyone else see the irony in
"Stopped laughing all the way's" letter?
Saying "SIGN YOUR NAME if you are going to make accusations
like that." And "If you don't have the "GUTS" to put your name on
that gossip and innuendo then "SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP."

Now that's funny!
Here's a person that we have been telling the same thing to for months.
But a non signer telling another non signer to sign their letter is even too much for me not to laugh.

Andy Whiteman said...

I agree that a Human Resources person is needed for the city. This is simply good business management. HR is a highly specialized, technical, position requiring a specialist.

I have two points:
1) I met a lady a few years ago who worked out of her home doing HR contract service.
I was told by my contact in HR at the Post Office last year that the Post Office was outsourcing part of its HR function. Many businesses outsource HR. Whey does the cty need to remodel to create space for a high paid, tie wearing, chair warmer? City Hall is top heavy with with high paid management while the workers are paid a pittance! HR could be outsourced. Many companies also outsource payroll.

2) Our new Alderman, Mr. Sarqeon, was an HR person. We could use his experience to resolve this issue.
***************
At the BOA meeting Mr. Miller made the statement that staff has written the job description for the HR position and was NOT asking the Board. The job description was included as an FYI. Maybe I am wrong, but I thought that staff received direction from the BOA. Who is the boss? In my opinion, the board needs to take controll of staff.
***********

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Mammas House makes more sense then our BOA or any city official for that matter.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, name of show is Mommas Family, that is the name of the show I was thinking of. Excuse me for my error. By the way, stopped laughing all the way you must be Barb Schlapia or you wouldn't be upset by what is being written!!! Got you.

Anonymous said...

Here's something different. It's a photo
taken in front of Fox's Drug Store in 1943. The girl on the left is my aunt, and they had bicycled from 33rd and Chrysler. I believe that the point of the photo was to prove that they'd made it that far.

Did anybody know that they used to sell gasoline in front of Fox's Drugs? It almost appears that the west wing of the building is a separate automotive business, but other than the Delco sign, there isn't any signage. This makes me think that it might have all been part of Fox's.


Regards,

-Don Erickson

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is interesting. I never knew that you could get prescriptions filled, something to eat at the soda fountain, and gasoline for your car all at the same time. That is a neat picture.

Anonymous said...

Don, Thanks for sharing your picture. Brings back good memories of what Raytown used to be.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that picture. Does Fox Drugs or the Raytown Historical Society Museum have copies? Nice piece of Raytown history.

Andy Whiteman said...

Don, Thanks for sharing the photo. I always wondered about Fox's parking lot that some people think is for right turns. Usually you see a gas staion with a grocery store but I have never seen a gas store pharmacy. Once I thought it looked like a place for a gas station but assumed that Fox's bought it and remodeled. It is nice to see what the past was like. I wish those times could come back.

Anonymous 5:13PM, Obviously I am not Barb Schlapia but I think that when comments are made like that, they should be supported by fact. I take the same stand no matter who the comments are about. By the way, the original writer was proved wrong at the last BOA meeting where Barb made a comment supporting Mr. Sargeon.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Well, see the city is doing its normal snow removal: Wait for spring and the sun to shine.

And we need a salt barn - why?

Anonymous said...

Andy, Talk is cheap for Ms. Schlapia. She'll say whatever she thinks might get her votes. I've watch her actions and the two just don't add up. Keep Watching.

Anonymous said...

To: 12-6 07 2:17pm

Barb tells people that she is on the city council because it is her passion. What's funny she does not listen to the majority of the people in her ward or the majority of the people in this city. If you have a passion about something you want to do what is the right thing for the everyone not just what you want. She has forgotten what we elected her for, as has some of the others who are on the board. What is sad our votes are wasted on people like her. From what I see going on at city hall when I watch the meetings I'm embarrassed to know I voted for her and I will not be doing it again. I probably will be working against her if I am asked.

Anonymous said...

Re: the Fox Drug Photo-

I'm glad that people enjoyed looking at it; Nobody has yet been given a copy of it. The photo was a 3.5 x 5 in an old scrapbook, my Aunt pointed out that she was holding a camera in her right hand, which I hadn't noticed.

I intend to make a few copies to distribute to the few interested parties, but have not yet done so.

Andy Whiteman said...

Don, How did you link or upload the photo? I don't see any place on this blog to attach a photo.
Thsnks,
Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

FOX DRUG PHOTO . . .

The photo is amazing. It is also a reminder to me of the time the Board of Aldermen had to pay extra money to have an underground fuel tank on 63rd Street.

It was about 15 years ago. The city was "rebuilding" 63rd Street between Raytown Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard. New curbs, new surface, the works.

Our Public Works Director at the time (Gene Yeokum) came to the Board to explain that in taking up the street they had discoverd what appeared to be an old fuel tank.

No one could remember where it came from, so, the city payed to have it removed.

It is interesting to learn now that there were gas pumps at Fox's Drug way back when.

If memory serves me correctly it cost the City nearly ten grand to remove the tanks and have the ground tested for pollutants -- fortunately, whatever fuel that was in them had not leached into the surrounding soil.

Makes you wonder if anyone knew about the ownership of the tanks when they were being removed.

By the way, that photograph is a classic. Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

Andy: When you enter a comment, underneath the "Leave your comment" field, there is the statement that "You can use some HTML tags." I simply posted an anchor tag, pointing to the picture on another server.

I'm not sure what kind of camera was used, but the fall-off toward the edges is pronounced. It would be interesting to see more old photos, the Raytown Historical Society has a massive collection and it is well worth the time to stop in and spend an hour or two. As Raytown is in transition these days, it might be more important than ever to review it's history.

Pat Casady said...

I just heard that the Raytown School District has a
$17,000,000.00 surplus.
Anybody up for voting for more school taxes?
Can some city official or school official explain this
to us?
If it is true.

Andy Whiteman said...

The gas tanks found on 63rd St sounds like the underground issues with the salt shed. We don't know what is UG(underground) until we dig. I assume the city isn't going to bill Fox's since the statute of limitations has expired.
*********
Those old Brownies were good cameras. My mother had one. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. I received an email of Pearl Harbor photos taken on a Brownie camera and left in the camera until recently. (I don't know when recently is relative to the time of the original email.) I am not going to post them here since they aren't relevant to Raytown and I don't have them hosted on a website so they can't be posted. If anyone wants to send me their email address, I will forward them.
***********
With a $17M surplus, the school district should cut taxes until a good part of it is exhausted. As others have said, it sounds like an audit is needed.
***************
Mr. Miller started the newsletter which I felt was a good idea because the city is really poor in making public notice of anything.
Now $20,000 disappeared and there was no money for the newsletter but previously $10,000 appeared which could fund street lights.

Why is money suddenly being found and other money suddenly is lost? Again, it sounds like an audit is desparately needed. To me this amount of money is NOT trivial.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Pat... Lee Gray here. I suspect the $17 mill is a reserve fund by the school district.

Anonymous said...

AUDIT,AUDIT,AUDIT, we need it now, especially with all the changes in the finance department.

Anonymous said...

Interesting about the School Dist. money. Just recently an instructor in the Raytown School District told me that there were no raises this year because all the tax levies had expired, so I needed to vote for the new taxes soon the schools were out of money. This is apparently the story that is being fed to the District employees.

My Tax Bill tells a different story.

Andy Whiteman said...

An audit should be done as a CYA when there is a change in the finance department. If I was the new person, I would DEMAND an audit.

The $17M may be a reserve fund for the school district, but it seems like an excessive amount considering we are being overtaxed! I might say $500,000 is a reserve fund. This should take care of any normal emergency. If something happens to a building like fire or storm, it should be covered by insurance.

I feel the same about the schools as the city: CUT THE PAY OF THE TOP MANAGEMENT TO A REASONABLE LEVEL

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Is the extra $17 MILLION the school department has a reserve fund or slush fund?

Anonymous said...

Lee Gray here...

$500,000 in a reserve fund is nothing. I'm not here to defend the school district's $17 million in reserve...but the annual budget last time I looked (and that was at least five years ago) was roughly $8,000 per student ... or $64 million annually. That's a lot of money. But one has to figure in the costs of equipment, buildings, teachers, etc. etc. If my math is correct, the reserve of $17 million is about 19%. Most governmental agencies shoot for 15-17%...but I'm talking about what I knew about when I was still in the newspaper business.
In the city hall meeting the other night it was reported that the city reserve fund is down to about $1.2 million. That's about 7 to 9%. That's pretty poor by traditional standards.

Andy Whiteman said...

Lee Gray, You make sense. $17M seemed like an excess to me at first. From your perspective, it may keep them going one or two months. I used to be the Treasurer of a Fire District and out drafts from the county treasurer came as taxes were collected which was 2 times in the early year. That money had to last the whole year. Sometimes we would get a small extra check if deliquent taxes were paid.

Personally, I keep a reserve for house payment, expected expenses, and whatever emergencies may pop up. So now I can understand the reserve. I guess they way to look at it is this is the end of the year and it has to last them until the taxes come in in January and April.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Read in the Tribune where Kansas City resident Foulmouthed Al Maddox is sticking his nose in Raytown government business again. At the recent meeting on the future of mass transportation for Raytown, ole foulmouthed Al again is trying to tell us Raytowners what's good for us. Why don't you Kansas City resident's spend as much time trying to improve KC and instead of meddling in Raytown's business?

Anonymous said...

A few weeks ago Al Maddox was at the Town hall meeting as well. Is he married? If he is why does he have so much time to spend in Raytown. If he isn't, I sure don't know any woman who would be so stupid to want to live with him so I guess trying to get him married off is out of the question. He needs to get another hobby other than Ratytown and let those of us who live here,pay taxes and vote here handle what happens here.

Andy Whiteman said...

Maybe Al should invite Clay Chastane to join him. I don't understand why these 2 keep haunting their former cities. Once I escape from this fascist fief of Raytown you won't hear from me again.

For those who don't understand my terminology, fascist fief refers to the way city government is run along with the Code gestapo.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Andy, Good one. Al and Clay should get together. These 2 guys must not have any life!

Anonymous said...

Just a question but with all this money being thrown around what assurances does the city have that wal-mart and hyvee will turn over thier old locations for re-development. I would hope that the city was smart enough to work that out before betting the farm. Hyvee has held the city hostage for that past 10 years because they did not want a competitor in a super wal-mart.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that The Tribune was brought up in the discussion about Mr. Maddox. It appears about every 4 months for two weeks and disappears. The Post is even worse, though I did find it in my driveway (uncovered without plastic)and frozen to the concrete today (Saturday). Sure does a lot of good to put out a newspaper whenever and throw Wednesday newspapers on Friday or Saturday. Suspect that's why there is no advertising in the local papers. And The Star is now pounding doors and sending direct mail for a year's subscription for about $50. If you're a long time subscriber paying the roughly $200 a year, quit. Make The Star give it away to you also! As bad as this blog is sometimes at least people have a chance to get some local information and discuss it.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that The Tribune was brought up in the discussion about Mr. Maddox. It appears about every 4 months for two weeks and disappears. The Post is even worse, though I did find it in my driveway (uncovered without plastic)and frozen to the concrete today (Saturday). Sure does a lot of good to put out a newspaper whenever and throw Wednesday newspapers on Friday or Saturday. Suspect that's why there is no advertising in the local papers. And The Star is now pounding doors and sending direct mail for a year's subscription for about $50. If you're a long time subscriber paying the roughly $200 a year, quit. Make The Star give it away to you also! As bad as this blog is sometimes at least people have a chance to get some local information and discuss it.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that The Tribune was brought up in the discussion about Mr. Maddox. It appears about every 4 months for two weeks and disappears. The Post is even worse, though I did find it in my driveway (uncovered without plastic)and frozen to the concrete today (Saturday). Sure does a lot of good to put out a newspaper whenever and throw Wednesday newspapers on Friday or Saturday. Suspect that's why there is no advertising in the local papers. And The Star is now pounding doors and sending direct mail for a year's subscription for about $50. If you're a long time subscriber paying the roughly $200 a year, quit. Make The Star give it away to you also! As bad as this blog is sometimes at least people have a chance to get some local information and discuss it.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that The Tribune was brought up in the discussion about Mr. Maddox. It appears about every 4 months for two weeks and disappears. The Post is even worse, though I did find it in my driveway (uncovered without plastic)and frozen to the concrete today (Saturday). Sure does a lot of good to put out a newspaper whenever and throw Wednesday newspapers on Friday or Saturday. Suspect that's why there is no advertising in the local papers. And The Star is now pounding doors and sending direct mail for a year's subscription for about $50. If you're a long time subscriber paying the roughly $200 a year, quit. Make The Star give it away to you also! As bad as this blog is sometimes at least people have a chance to get some local information and discuss it.

Andy Whiteman said...

Anonymous 9:26 has a valid point. I think the problem is it is ASSUMED that the property will be sold and redeveloped. Of course we all know what happens when you ass/u/me! I don't recall hearing any discussion at the BOA about this. It doesn't make good business sense to let the building set vacant, but it has been done. Maybe Greg can answer this question.

What happened to Ms Laughing? and several Anonymous coppiers, my Post is mailed to me weekly so I get it in good condition. The Tribune doesn't leave me one but they litter many driveways with their paper. The last one they left me was in the gutter. I called them and told them I would call the Codes Dept. if they can't deliver properly.

Thanks for the news about the Red Star. I argue with them every year to get about $30 cut off the price. They don't publish the content I want (night time TV listings) and the recent holiday/Sunday papers were stuffed with so many ads they should be delivering the paper free as an advertisement. The problem with the KC Red Star is they are the ONLY daily paper. I lived in Albuquerque and Denver. At the time both had 2 dailys and the subscription was really reasonable. I like the local Raytown Post and Tribue for local news. The Red Star is a big city paper and they can't possibly give good Raytown coverage even with a Wednesday suplement.

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

At one time not all that long ago there were two different papers, The Kansas City Times, and The Kansas City Star. the Times was our morning paper, and the star was our evening paper and sunday paper. They did away with the times and moved the star to mornings and sunday to save themselves money. Maybe if enough people quit buying the rag they may have to give it away free. I always need scrap paper like that to clean and polish my work shoes on.

Andy Whiteman said...

I just saw city snow equipment go down my street. Everywhere else I have lived, the cities don't touch residencial streets. I have lived here 7 long years and really appriciate Raytown's snow fighting efforts! Snow removal, EMS, and Police are all I give this city credit for. The remainder of the city services are piss-poor. I am not mentioning Fire because they are a seperate district.

Anonymous 5:45 AM, I think every city shoud have 2 papers so that people have a choice as well as competition keping the price down. San Diego went to 1 paper and prices went up many years ago. Denver combined their 2 papers into one with weekend editions alternating between the 2. I don't know about price since I am no longer there.

The FCC shoukld not allow a newspaper to buy another to create a one newspaper city just like the regulate TV and radio.

The KC Red Star is FREE for my neighbor. After I am finished I give it to her and then she takes it to be recycled.

It might put a dent in the Star's income and help out the elderly or retired if people would share their paper. Just a suggestion.

Andy Whiteman