A Lesson from Merriam, Kansas
A recent column in the Kansas City Star about a shopping center built in Merriam, Kansas has some valuable lessons for city leaders in Raytown. Hearne Christopher, Jr., a political writer for the Star, recently wrote about a shopping center constructed in Merriam, Kansas. The shopping center, named Merriam Villlage, was financed in part by tax incentives provided by the city. It sits atop a large hill on I-35 just south of Johnson Drive. It is 300,000 square feet of prime real estate on one of the busiest interstates in the metropolitan area.
And, it is completely empty.
Whoever said, “if you build it, they will come” should take a hard look at what a national economy in recession can do to area developers’ dreams. The lone tenant of the Merriam Village was Circuit City. Even that is somewhat of a stretch. Circuit City pulled the plug on the location before it opened. The contractor constructing the inside fixtures for the store was told to pack up and go home in the middle of the job. Circuit City recently announced it was closing 150 locations nationwide (for a list of other national retail stores cutting back see my blog dated October 24, 2008 10:25 PM).
City officials would be wise to remember Merriam’s lesson before it creates any more tax giveaways to attract developers to the Walmart/350 Highway development.
Board Approves Controversial Budget
At its last meeting the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved the city’s 2009/2010 fiscal budget. But it was not without controversy. The center of the argument was $947,000 in one time expenses. Aldermen Barb Schlapia, Marilyn Fleming and Greg Walters argued that the items should stand on their own merit. For the record Aldermen Schlapia and Walters voted "no" on the budget.
Included in the $947,000 package:
$274,000.00 for “economic development efforts”. Detailed plans were not included in the request.
$50,000 for “city hall security upgrades”. The administration had argued that the upgrades were necessary in light of shootings that occurred in Kirkwood, Missouri last year.
$5,000 for exercise equipment at the EMS (ambulance) garage. The city already has exercise equipment. The equipment is housed in the police department and available for use by ALL city employees.
$50,000 for another salary survey.
$30,000 for a pilot study of outsourcing some payroll HR functions. Last year, the city created a full time HR position for managing employee benefits.
$188,000 to remodel the public works street department facility.
$35,000 for an item called “temporary agency fees”.
$5,000 for new countertops in the public works department. In keeping with the new security measures, the countertops would limit access to the offices of the public works department.
Word Watch . . .
This is a new feature of the Raytown Report. When a public official makes a statement that is less than accurate – it will be corrected here. This week’s “Word Watch” is attributed to Ward 2 Alderman Jim Aziere. At last Tuesday’s meeting Aziere stated that the Board had to pass the budget or the city could not function.
Not true.
The City of Raytown is not Washington, DC. Elected officials do not shut down the city’s ability to operate by refusing to pass budget resolutions. However, in the unlikely event that a budget is not passed in a timely fashion the natural course of action is to continue day-to-day business at city hall.
Comments
I do not approve of a budget without a plan for spending. How is $274K budgeted when no one knows how the money will be spent. Was this figure pulled from thin air?
Mayor Bower said at the BOA, "It is our budget. We asked staff to create it and they put a lot of work into it." I wonder why better direction was not given to staff? They did it but you told them what to do.
I was secretary-treasurer of a fire district and generated the budget. There was a definite plan of how every dollar would be spent with the exception of the contigency fund which was to cover price increases and emergency repairs.
Why is a $30,000 study needed for possible outsourcing of HR? What a waste! Can't a group of city employees conduct the "study"? This city wastes too much on "studies." Many companies large and small outsource all or part of HR and payroll. The last time I spoke with my contact at the Post Office over a year ago, I was told that part of HR was being outsourced.
By the way, I checked my home propert tax and it went up close to $200 due to the school tax increase! It was advertised how little it would cost the average taxpayer which was a false advertisement. I don't call $200 a small amount. People wonder why homes in Raytown don't sell. Why would anyone buy a home here after checking the tax bill and seeing the condition of the streets?
What we need is more board members who are frugal with the Taxpayer's money. We need more Alderpeople like Greg and Barb even though I don't agree with Greg about animals.
Andy Whiteman
Greg, I don't know who said "If you build it they will come" but
I say when it comes to Raytown City Hall wasting taxpayer money, "If you give them
money they will spend it." Aziere's statement about the city needing to pass the
budget or the city could not function is just the way most of our elected officials
think.
I can't think of a bigger waste of taxpayer dollars than yet another study or survey.
These people can't seem to grasp the idea that the people are tired seeing their
hard earned money thrown out the window for something that should be handled by
the employees at City Hall. If they don't do their jobs, get rid of them.
Here's a salary survey for you and it won't cost you a dime. If you can't do the job,
my survey says you shouldn't have the job! Plain and simple. If you think someone
is being paid too much.......survey says............you are probably right!
If you think someone one is not being paid enough at City Hall.......survey says........
you are wrong!
If our elected officials think they are doing a great job..........survey says........wrong!!
Instead of surveys and studies this town should be spending the "extra" money
they seem to come up with for these surveys and studies on the streets and sidewalks.
Spending money on the downtown and making it inviting to possible new
small businesses would make better sense than any survey or study.
City Hall needs to realize that when the Wal-Mart opens this town will be gone
if they don't do something to make the downtown come alive again.
That takes absolutely no survey or study but, it does call for common sense
from our elected officials and that my friends is why we are in trouble.
Until Raytown elects people that actually think of the people, businesses and
the way tax dollars are spent first, this town will continue to go downhill.
It oblivious City Hall and our elected officials have learned nothing in the last
ten years. We need new faces and new ideas. We need to elect at least eight
new people next time around.
I will add to 7:28AM: NEVER NEVER VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE ESPECIALLY SCHOOLS. My school tax has gone up 5% which adds almost $200 to my homeowners tax. Outrageous!
As for Teresa (Henry) Newton's $40,000 per year, that is not a living wage for this expensive area. It would be a good wage in a place like NM where the cost of living is lower and people are poorly paid. I feel that ALL city WORKERS should have a wage increase to a living wage. Also the city is top heavy in management pay. As contracts expire and management is replaced, these salaries should be decreased.
Bob Phillips may have said that Teresa Newton saved the city thousands, but I believe it was in an article as a quote from Mayor Bower at a BOA meeting. If someone can realize these savings, I definately support raising their salary. In other words: a bonus for exceeding the job requirements. She is worth at least a living wage!
Andy Whiteman
http://www.catholicvote.com
The video was "slick" but the bias obvious. Can't abort those babies because we'll need them as cannon fodder for the Bush/McCain Wars.
SIGNED BLAH,BLAH
Oh, my! You mean you went into with your eyes wide open!
Both leave a dead body behind.
to 3:10 Hi Again Sarah!
Republicans just cannot fathom or face the facts that their eight years of terror is finally drawing to a close. Maybe things can finally return to normal here in this country when Senator Obama takes the oath of office January of next year as President of the United States! And hopefully the government will make all the people and businesses earning more than 250,000 a year on up have to pay their fair share on taxes and do away with all the tax cuts for these yahoos. The more that you make, the more that you are taxed, the less that you make , the less that you are taxed. What a novel idea!
Anon 12:43 PM, I agree with you about teachers' salaries. A teacher stood illegally at the pole and told me they would get a raise. Where is their raise? Someone sure lied to her so she would lie to voters. I favor raising teachers' salaries as long as administrators salaries are cut deeply. The Disfunctional School District is worse at budget management than the city.
Andy Whiteman
Spoken like a true socialist!!!!
What a moron
When taking a picture of the small group gathered for the groundbreaking they were instructed to say "tax break".
Like all good little lemmings they did just that.
Are these people simple or what? Anyone with an understanding of basic math can see that Walmart is a loser for Raytown.
I can't wait until next April. I will campaign for anyone running against a Raytown incumbant.
Please understand that simply telling someone what needs to be done does not mean that they will listen.
As for the budget -- there is more wrong with it than just the short list of items I published earlier this week.
I believe that the 5% (plus)across the board pay increase was excessive. It will give our senior department heads close to a $5,000 pay increase. Some salaries at city hall do need to be increased. But not all of them.
The city will spend $50,000 turning city hall into a bunker in the name of security -- but only 10 grand for street lights for the safety of our neighborhoods! Some folks have their priorities all mixed up.
There are some good things in the budget -- the decision to begin next year's street improvement plan this year (by repairing the sub-structure of 28 streets) is a surprising move. Especially in light of a very heated discussion the City Administrator and I had over the subject that left me with the impression that very little would be done.
There is always some give and take in any budget. But all in all, the budget left too many unanswered questions. Particularly in the area of economic development -- $274,000 of additional funding for economic development without one word of how it will be spent was the deal breaker for me.
That line item was was way over the top and simply put, too much to gain my stamp of approval.
to Raytown City Hall, don't believe it until it happens.
As for the quarter million for economic development, if it involves a development
company, please, don't pay them anything until they at the very least
turn a shovel of dirt.
If it is to bring in new businesses, please don't let the codes people run them
out of town before they even get started.
Speaking of codes, do they have everything in writing or are they still going by the
TRD way of doing business? That was Turesdales Rules for the Day. I know he is gone
but is the attitude?
The possibility of someone getting a $5,000.00 increase in pay is
asinine. Five percent in these hard times is a slap in the face of every taxpayer
in Raytown. People can't make ends meet and our elected officials are OK'ing
spending like handing out candy.
People are losing their jobs to the bad economy but City Hall wants to take
their hard earned tax dollars to hand out pay raises?
Forget the bunker, spend the money on straight jackets for these bad decision makers.
I have nothing against people making more money when times are good.
But you only have to drive around town to see all the vacant buildings and closing businesses, bad streets and intersections, sidewalks cracking and the need for street lights and It is only going to get worse. Remember the cities income is
going down because another bad decision made by these people.
I say give out big raises when things are better for everybody. Few if any in the
business world are getting a five percent raise if any increase.
If these "representatives" treated the people like they treat Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee and so on
this would be a great place...again. I don't understand why they can't see what they
are doing to this town. If the people can't see we need at least eight new faces
on the Board of Aldermen, then Raytown is destined to fall.
I'm sorry if I'm negative but it's time for this city to do for the people for a change.
Is that too much to ask?
Administratiors pay should be cut, not increased. The real workers deserve a raise. I don't agree with giving a raise to a tie wearing chair warmer. Fire one of them and you could pay about 3 workers! I am not suggesting anyone should be fired. I am illustrating what could be accomplished with the money.
The fallacy with the budget is the city expects to receive tax money. With the economy down people will buy less and sales tax (as well as franchise tax) collection will be down. I saw on TV last night, that a middle class restrauant was hit hard by the economy. Regulars come less often or not at all. I guess that means less sales tax. Also property values are down with many repos. With the latest 5% Disfuctional School District increase people may be unable to pay their property taxes. When I was the treasurer of a fire district the draft(aka check but legally different from a check) from the county came several times a year only as people paid their taxes. There was a large check for the 1st half and a smaller check for the 2nd half and through the year taxes tickled in. I question the collection of property taxes will support the city budget or even the Disfunctional School District. The DSF is taxing people to death.
Andy Whiteman
it seems ludicrous to hand out big raises. Give the hourly workers an increase
but even then it should be kept to a realistic increase.
Our city management and elected officials made the decision to give away
tax income. Their promise was that more businesses would follow the new 350hwy. deal and that the tax income would actually grow.
I would request that other than city services, that a freeze be put on all spending
until this happens. They should not ask for anymore tax increases until they
live up to their projections of future income.
In other words put their money where their big ideas are, and quit giving away
and wasting our (taxpayer) money.
Andy Whiteman
Anon 8:24 AM, most people don't get their real estate tax bill because they have a mortgage and the county refuses to send them even if requested. The average person has no clue where his taxes go!
I checked my wax bills. The huge increase was the school tax going from 67% of the tax bill to 72% of the tax bill. May home tax bill went up close to $200 because of the school tax. One writer stated the teachers aren't paid enough. Boy, did the Disfunctional School District lie to the voters!
Andy Whiteman
You can bet that the school district will want another tax increase in 2009 because they are telling us that the district is BROKE!!!
The Ten Cannots
You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and
independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and
should do for themselves.
By
Rev. William J. H. Boetcker
since its the neo-con bush/cheney fault gas is so high...are they the ones to blame for it going down/...dam republicans just cant trust them..and about the fire station, i was just up there got my blood pressure checked and couple smoke detectors and they were cleaning the place and working on stuff..so give them a break...at least they are taking care of the place...
he had received his real estate taxes. It appears that he is
paying fifteen hundred dollars a year for this tax and eleven hundred
of those dollars go to the school district. He said there are fourteen of
the same size houses on his block. These are not big houses either.
My friend then told me that only one hundred dollars went to the fire department.
Something seems out of balance here. I told him, sarcastically, but Joe,
the school district is broke and they need your money.
I can't write what
he said but, you can bet he won't be voting for a school tax increase
any time soon.
All five us agreed that Raytown will have a big new Wal-Mart and a school district next to none and nobody left in town that can afford them. The people
can only be asked to pay for stupidity by both the city and the school district
so many times and then even the most avid of supporters have to say ENOUGH!
some of the arguments on this post. I'm talking about the
political arguments.
Some say if McCain gets in it will be business as usual, a copy
of George Bush.....probably so.
Some say Barack Oboma will save us.........probably not.
Most of the focus from Obama is that he will tax the people making over
two hundred fifty thousand dollars a year and give the rest of us a tax break.
It makes us people that have been paying taxes all our lives feel better
to here things like this.
However, this probably won't happen either.
Lets face facts. the people that have to vote for this kind of deal all make over
two hundred fifty thousand, and the first thing these people do after an election
is vote themselves a pay raise. Asking them to raise their taxes is a pipe dream.
Not to mention the true people that run this country, the banks, big business and
insurance companies won't let this happen either.
Let's face it. The rich aren't going to give the middle class a break. We are the people
that have been financing them for over a hundred years and I don't think it will
change because of who is president.
As much as we might like to think government, any government federal or city,
is "for the people by the people" we all know or should by now they aren't.
Obamba claims tax cuts for those earning under $250K but on his infomercial, it bacame $200K! Either it changes day by day or he speaks with forked tongue.
I don't trust either Obama or McCain but I have to vote for whichever I feel to be less evil.
The Disfunctional Schools take more tax dollars than all the other entities combined! DEFINATELY VOTE NO AT THE NEXT TAX ELECTION! My house is also a 50+ year old home that went up close to $200 in school taxes. If you do the math, 75% of taxes go to schools.
OUTRAGEOUS!
Andy Whiteman
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
"On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi"
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
But you and your vote should really stay home.
Onward O'Reilly, Newt, Buchanan and Rush...
Like you, Mr. Tell It, their brains are all mush.
Don't use your brain but your gut,
And we'll have 4 more years in this economic rut.
Once Sarha is president you'll know real fright...
So downward and downward and more to the right!
And enjoy taking that risk!
Cuz' we all know "Ignorance is Bliss."
--- Someone who has PROUDLY already voted for Obama and has no regrets at all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg98BvqUvCc
THIS IS REALLY SAD.
401 k plans will be run by the govt
obamas plan cash out tax on the top
100,000.00 plan you will lose 7,000 at cash out..
pelosi/reid plan through congress same plan will cost you 19,000.00 to cash out..NICE HUH
elimanate bush tax cuts tax rate will go from 31% back to 33%..who do you think will pay for that...YOU...
Small buisness tax will move to 54% before local and state taxes..information taken from obamas tax plan.....Wake up do you really want that?......read be informed not brainwashed.....info is there read read read...any body with better facts put them out there...
Jeff, you sound like you have good knowledge of economics, budgets, and running a business. If you are in my Ward and run for Alderman, I will probably vote for you after I hear more. We need people with REAL knowledge and experience running this city. I am very dissapointed with out city administration in general. After the last BOA meeting I can count on one hand the Aldermen who are looking out for the taxpayers.
We need representative who have interest in helping he taxpayers. The city does not have unlimited funds. The well will run dry especially if this poor economy continues. This also applies to the Disfunctional School Disrtict that hogs 75% of the taxes.
Andy Whiteman
Andy Whiteman
Look at the alternative. Obama, Biden, and yes, even McCain, are part of the problem in Washington. They have had there run for some time and look at the mess the country is in.
Look at the 50 states and how they are run. Under Palin's watch Alaska has been a success story. Can you say that about Missouri under Blunt and Kansas under Sebillius?
I realize her position will only be as v.p., but she will have some influence from that position. In many ways her presence will be like a breath of fresh air compared to the crusty old politics the other three are dishing out.
America already has a socialized health care system. I'm proud to be part of it because it's better than my experience in the private sector.
The System is called: The Veteran's Administration.
Thirty-six years ago, when I came home from Vietnam, I went to the VA Hospitals in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Muskogee, Oklahoma. The system wasn't much to brag about back then.
But, today, the VA Hospital in Kansas City is considered one of the nation's best in the VA system and ranks higher than a number of private care facilities locally.
And the cost? Much cheaper.
Yes I have to schedule appointments well in advance, but I can go to the walk-in clinic if needed or the emergency room in an extreme case.
As a disabled American veteran I enjoy some other benefits.
Six years ago when BC&BS wanted to raise my monthly premiums to $650 a month because I turned 55, I decided to go to the VA.
I went in with the attitude it would be a miserable, hurry-up and wait experience...and boy have I been surprised!
So when the uniformed talk about socialized medicine, they need to change their attitudes and look at the facts.
The VA would be the perfect model for a national system for non-Vets.
Lee
(smile) Lee
The VA may be good for you, but what about the state of Walter Reed for military health care?
I have heard that people with socialized medicine in other other countries are very dissatisfied with rationed health care--long waits to see a doctor even for an urgent condition, long waits for elective surgery. There is one Europen country that puts down senior citizens like animals if their health care cost is too high. They also put down children under a certain age for certain medical condition and the parents have no choice.
Socialized medicine is fine if you don't mind waiting to see a doctor an being put down if it is too expensize. If doctors were government employees, do you think many people would study to become doctors? I would rather have our pay for service health care.
If we went to socialized health care, people who don't receive health care now will overload the system.
Andy Whiteman
Do you think Republicans will riot if McCain is not elected?
The emergency planning was also announced on the news. The Police, Fire Department, MAST Ambulance, KCPL, and MGE will all staff the operations center.
It is good to ALWAYS have a plan whether or not anything is expected to happen.
I am glad that idiot Wenson is gone. The most useless tie wearing charir warmer that this city has ever had!
Ok, everybody you have until Tuesday to make your decision. Please get out and vore for the person of your choice.
Andy Whiteman
Andy you "have heard" is not proof of anything.
I've lived in Germany where there was socialized medicine. My oldest son has had free health care when traveling in Canada and Czechoslovakia and was impressed.
And this "putting down" the old and young...c'mon!
If there was NO HEALTH CARE at all...think Cave Man Times or Darfur, Sudan...then it would be natural selection. I'm fine with that. When I'm no longer useful to society I see no reason for me to be here.
Lee
Here is the latest one. They moved daylight savings time back to right before the election so that it would be dark outside and scare democrats away from the polls.
You didn't answer my question. Do you think there is danger of Republicans rioting if McCain loses?
Andy Whiteman
Thanks,
Andy Whiteman