To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
Emerson Proposes
Zoning Change for
Green
Space
Ward 3 Alderman Janet Emerson was one of
three Aldermen who opposed building a large footprint store in the area known
as the Green Space in 2014. Most readers will recall the planned development
called for a Neighborhood Walmart Grocery Store. The zoning also called for
rezoning a number of properties along 63rd Street and Blue Ridge
Boulevard.
Walmart eventually withdrew its
application for the project.
In a letter to then Mayor David Bower
and the Raytown Board of Aldermen, representatives of the retail giant pointed
to local opposition of the development as the reason for not moving forward
with the project.
Not stated in the letter, and not
commonly known to the public, was another reason for stepping away from the
project.
Former Raytown Mayor Sue Frank had
initiated a lawsuit against the City of Raytown for breaking provisions of Missouri
State law that forbid making zoning changes to property specifically for a
zoning applicants use. Once Walmart withdrew its application, the reason for a lawsuit
was dropped.
However, the zoning changes, which had
been approved by the majority of the Raytown City Council, remained in place.
Ward 3 Alderman Janet Emerson has
brought a discussion item before the Board to return the Green Space back to its original zoning designation. The current
zoning had been created exclusively for the Neighborhood Walmart Grocery Store. If the city does nothing, any tenant willing to accept the zoning as it stands could develop without city approval. The discussion item is set for Tuesday
night at Raytown City Hall. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
Greg's Notes . . . Emerson is correct in stating the
current zoning, which was cobbled together to meet requirements of the Walmart application, would be a hurdle that would have to be cleared to move forward
with any development that does not meet zoning specifications. The Board of
Aldermen should move forward and remove the outdated zoning designation.
They should also have a serious
discussion about creating a law in Raytown that returns any changes for a
special use permit on property back to its previous zoning if the purpose of
the zoning change is dropped.
This sunset on zoning applications that
are approved and not used would go a long way to protect neighborhoods and the
integrity of the zoning process.
Ms. Emerson has a good idea. It can be
a better idea if the Board of Aldermen expand the scope of her suggestion by
creating a sunset clause for all zoning applications no longer in use. This
would be appreciated in those residential neighborhoods zoned for commercial
use.
 |
| Elise and Marjain Breitenbach |
Best of Kansas City Award
Goes to . . .
Doughboys!
Doughboys Donuts, located at 63rd
Street and Woodson Road in the Woodson Shopping Center has been awarded The Best
of Kansas City recognition in two categories. The first award will not come to
anyone’s surprise, is, of course, Doughnuts. The second award is in the Pastry
category. Anyone who has the pleasure into biting into one Elise’s heavenly pastries will understand.
Marjain and Elise Breitenbach are husband and wife team who own and operate Doughboys. Since then it has become a favorite gathering place for both young and
old.
 | ||
| David Knapp and Boji |
Something You
Don’t See Everyday
While driving over to meet with the
owners of Doughboys Donut Shop I saw a gentleman going for a walk along 63rd
Street. Nothing unusual about that – but in this case he had a full grown parrot
perched on his shoulder. David Knapp is the owner. He told me takes his bird,
whose name is “Boji” (sounds like “bossy”), is a Green Wing Macaw. Mr. Knapp says
he takes the colorful bird for a walk every day.
For Ladies Only!
I stopped by to enjoy some of the
delicious soup, cornbread and pie at the Annual Rice Tremonti Soup and Kraft
Sale.
Mayor Micheal McDonough was on hand visiting with the diners. I interrupted his meeting to take a quick photo of the Mayor while he was visiting with Dianne Theesfeld, Machelle Grant Olson, Mecee Walters, and Mari Daniels.
Mayor Micheal McDonough was on hand visiting with the diners. I interrupted his meeting to take a quick photo of the Mayor while he was visiting with Dianne Theesfeld, Machelle Grant Olson, Mecee Walters, and Mari Daniels.
 |
| PHOTO CREDIT: MECEE WALTERS |
That was fun. Let’s go do it again!
I am sure anyone in Raytown who watched
the Royals give the New York Mets an ass-whipping for the ages would agree.
Small ball, with its aggressive base running, razor sharp defense, and unselfish
hitting by a Royals line up that was a threat with every batter, proved to be
more than a match for the power hitting Mets. Mix all of that up with the best
relief pitching in the major leagues and you end up with a team that has
re-invented the game.
Recognition for the transformation is
due General Manager Dayton Moore and Coach Ned Yost. Many teams have a front
office that is often at war with the manager. Not so in Kansas City. This is a
team that believes in working together from management down.
So far, the Royals have made a move by
cutting deals to keep shortstop Alcides Escobar and bullpen ace Wade Davis. Don’t
look for Alex Rios or Jeremy Guthrie to be back in a Royals uniform next year.
Both are in the free agent market. It is possible they could remain with the
Royals but doubtful at best. The front office has declined to pick up the
option on Johnny Gomes' contract. Left fielder Alex Gordon has been offered $16 million dollars. He has chosen to test the free agency market.
No doubt there will be changes between now
and the end of month to the roster. It will be interesting to watch to see if
the Royals can pull off another upset season and win the big prize in 2016.
The prognosticators guessed very wrong
this year when they picked the boys in blue to end up in fourth place in the
Central Division of the American League. It would be fun to confound the Joe
Bucks of the sports world in 2016. Go Royals!*
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul attended the first game of the World Series and did not understand the animosity between KC Fans and Fox Sports Announcer, Joe Buck. When Paul left the stadium he wondered why there was a big crowd standing around the Fox News stage chanting “Buck Joe Buck” while he was giving his wrap up of the game. Except they were not really chanting “Buck Joe Buck”. They were using another word that our style editor does not allow us to publish on the Raytown Report. Anyway, now Paul understands. Greg watched the game and post game show from his home. That segment of the Joe Buck Postgame Show did not get broadcast. Do you wonder why?
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul attended the first game of the World Series and did not understand the animosity between KC Fans and Fox Sports Announcer, Joe Buck. When Paul left the stadium he wondered why there was a big crowd standing around the Fox News stage chanting “Buck Joe Buck” while he was giving his wrap up of the game. Except they were not really chanting “Buck Joe Buck”. They were using another word that our style editor does not allow us to publish on the Raytown Report. Anyway, now Paul understands. Greg watched the game and post game show from his home. That segment of the Joe Buck Postgame Show did not get broadcast. Do you wonder why?
 |
| BY KRISTEN |
Homemade
Ice
Cream Recipe
(WITH BANANA AND RAW CACAO)
Some people think of ice cream as strictly a summertime food, but me? I’m not one of them. I would happily eat ice cream all year round, regardless of the temperature (although, let’s get real — I probably wouldn’t carry a cone around in the middle of winter. However, that would solve the problem of the ice cream dripping down the side, now that I think about it …
(WITH BANANA AND RAW CACAO)
Some people think of ice cream as strictly a summertime food, but me? I’m not one of them. I would happily eat ice cream all year round, regardless of the temperature (although, let’s get real — I probably wouldn’t carry a cone around in the middle of winter. However, that would solve the problem of the ice cream dripping down the side, now that I think about it …
The thing is, ice cream isn’t
exactly the healthiest treat around, and while I love sampling healthier
options, I’m not about to opt for something devoid of flavor just to cut a few
calories. Noooo thank you. READ MORE
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
48 comments:
A correction would be in order Greg on your comment that a "Split" of Sales Tax Revenue was specifically stated on the ballot language when the Sales Tax verbiage was amended to include "Storm Water Control" by vote of the BOA on April 28, 2010. There was no exact amount or % identified as to the revenue split appropriations even though each entity were clearly identified on the ballot as recipients of the 1/8 cent Sales Tax Collections. A couple of recent examples of similar Parks/Storm Water ballot measures passed by other communities had specific revenue split % stated on the ballot language and were presented at previous BOA & Parks Board discussions as a possible template for temporary and possible future solutions to the revenue distribution quandary. I have complete confidence that the Sales Tax Committee will forward a fair and viable solution to an issue that no doubt should have had some ongoing oversight and at least annual discussions during the budget process. My thanks to the talented individuals assisting in this process.
Here is the ballot language as presented to the voters in 2010.
Amended Substitute Bill No. 6207-10, Section III-A-9. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING SUBMISSION AT THE PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD AUGUST 3, 2010 TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF RAYTOWN, MISSOURI, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CITY SHALL IMPOSE A SALES TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE-EIGHTH (1/8) OF ONE PERCENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING LOCAL PARKS/STORM WATER CONTROL WITHIN THE CITY FOR A TERM OF SEVEN (7) YEARS AND IMPOSING SUCH TAX IF APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED VOTERS VOTING THEREON
You are correct in one point. The term "split" is never defined in either the enabling legislation or the ballot language. Just as it is not defined in my editorial. However, a reasonable person can assume that a voter casting a vote on a a sales tax election will assume that there would be a division of the sales tax if it were to pass. The reason, because it says so in the question.
On the other hand, if someone says they are going to split a sales tax for a seven year period, a reasonable person would not expect for five years to pass without the split being made. The Park Board has received 100% of the revenue in those five years. That is certainly not any definition of "FUNDING LOCAL PARKS/STORM WATER CONTROL WITHIN THE CITY FOR A TERM OF SEVEN (7) YEARS".
What I find amazing about this whole discussion is that there were three current Alderman on the Board when the ballot language was crafted (VanBuskirk, Mock and Aziere). In fact, Jim Aziere was the Alderman who made the motion to create the "split". The Board voted unanimously when they approved the enabling legislation to create the language. I am certain those three gentlemen were well aware of what they were voting on in 2010.
I cannot speak to the motives of the Board in 2010. But I do believe the current Board should honor the language of the ballot. I personally know of people who have serious problems with storm water run-off that floods their basements and damages their property who voted in the 2010 election. If the Board does not honor the language of the ballot, their credibility will be seriously damaged.
I sincerely hope the Special Committee Mayor McDonough has appointed comes up with an equitable and fair recommendation.
Anything would be an improvement over how the tax dollars have been divided over the past five years. They best hurry. The city is entering into the sixth year of the seven year life of the sales tax. I wonder if the City is holding the money in a separate account (without distribution) until the issue is resolved. A quick check of the 2015/2016 City Budget would give that answer.
I think I am a reasonable person and when I voted I felt that "LOCAL PARKS/STORM WATER CONTROL" meant 1/16% to each since no other percentage was stated. I NEVER considered there could be any other type of split. Since no figures were mentioned, the logical conclusion is 50%/50%! If I had thought the money would go mostly to Parks and not Storm Water Control, I would have voted NO! But I voted "yes" on this issue and was defrauded. This should have been 2 ballot issues of 1/16% each to give the people a choice! I want a refund! If more money was involved in a big city such as KCMO, NYC, etc., I think an attorney would have made a class action of this issue.
Andy Whiteman
last time it was just Emerson and Greene who supported bringing the zoning back, hopefully they will have better luck this time.
FIX THE ROADS
Many homeowners along Sterling, 61st Street and Harvard are not happy at all about this work. The city did not fix the road before putting this mess down. The oil ran down into cracks and the aggregate simply did nothing, but makes its way to the curbs as well as driveways and yards. The road is no smoother than before. The road was not repaired.
For more than nine (9) years the residents on Harvard and 61st Street have asked the City, when they intend to repair the road so that the water will actually go into the new drain instead of bypassing it. We have had a couple of folks come out to look, but nothing done, except they "seal" it. This is a huge waste of money. FIX THE ROADS, use asphalt, not this mess. We live in a city, not out on a country road.
I agree with Andy. Five years of 100% going to the Park Department does not sound like any kind of split to me either. No matter how you try to twist and shape it, a lie is a lie. I am so disappointed in the Board of Aldermen for not stepping up and handling this betrayal of the voters.
I will be watching to see how my two aldermen vote.
Congrats to Raytown Doughboys! When ever I have to travel I always look up the local Doughboys and stop in. You can always count on a great donut whether in Reno or Boston or any if the other Doughboys. But I am really proud my home town Doughboys made it to number one. Congrats!
I noticed "Coming Soon" signs for two new discount liquor and tobacco stores in one block on Raytown Road between 66th and 67th. One is at the old Domino's location and one at the old Hostess thrift store location. Nothing says family friendly town like liquor and tobacco.
A new tobacco store? Are you sure? Bill Van Buskirk nearly bust a gut getting the ordinance passed that limited tobacco shops in Raytown. Pat Ertz introduced an ordinance and they all goose stepped it into law taking away any limits on liquor stores. But, then again, liquor stores thrive in the ghettos.
Thank You Greg & Anonymous. Doughboys is proud to have made The Best of Kansas City in The Pitch Magazine. To be listed up with Andre's Best Pastries was Awesome! To have made it through three rounds of voting on both sides of the state line was a nice surprise for us. People come from all across the metro to visit and pass through Raytown. I would of never thought this little shopping center could be so busy. Raytown is like a little diamond in the ruff. We have such kind and dear people all around us. It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Raytown! Elisa Breitenbach
Greg for the third year in a row our friends the Detroit Coney Mobile Food Truck won Best Chili, Best Cheap Eats, Best Food Truck, Best Hot Dog/Bratwurst and Best Late-Night Eats. How cool is that for Raytown? Elisa Breitenbach
Raytown is a diamond in the rough. I just wish the "rough" didn't include so much crime, section 8 housing, lousy code enforcement, high taxes/crimes and a city government that seems unable to do anything but micro manage and argue over re-election signs in the right-of-way.
Gas in Raytown over 2.00 gas in Lees Summit 1.87 what is up??
That's about what they pay over at Truman Road and Benton Blvd, or 63rd and Paseo. Tell you anything? Thanks David Bower.
Raytown, a town with no sidewalks for children to walk to school, poor streets where you get a tar and gravel bath when you drive on them and a police department that is top heavy and spends almost half of the city's operating budget leaving little funds for anything else. Thanks for the heavy taxing the citizens while always harping about a "professional government". Sure the city will pay you top scale for little experience and you shouldn't have to live in such a terrible community with high crime, low property value and becoming more ghetto year and year until you can't even distinguish Raytown from East KC anymore.
1:54 PM, There are at least 2 things that affect gas prices:
1) Local taxes
2) Area pricing: Chain stations will price by area depending on what they think people in that area can pay. Heavily traveled streets MAY have higher gas prices than stations off the generally traveled path.
3) Privately owned stations will set their own prices. At privately owned stations, the mark up on gas is very little! When I owned a station, back in the late '70s - early '80s, I was told that the mark up should be 3¢ per gallon which is very little, when pumping <1000 gallons per day, in my opinion. I was in a remote area and since my wholesale price was higher than the cut-rate (mainly Vickers) stations in Denver (the closest city), I set my own prices. There is no money to be made for the private owner. My car/truck wash made more money than gas sales. I was operating at a loss and finally sold the business.
Andy Whiteman
I saw gas on sale for $1.99 per gallon along Blue Ridge. I would imagine the price of gas is set by the marketplace. Folks I know in the business tell me the real money is in selling other products that people buy while they are getting gas. High priced coffee drinks, snacks, cigarettes, etc. All of them are available at conveninece stores and it is rare when I see one that is not crowded. The gasoline prices may be competitive but the stuff on the shelves is high priced.
I don't buy my basic shelf items at convience stores but they are great for coffees, pastries, sandwiches, wraps; etc. those prices are great. Convience stores have taken a new approach in those areas lately
I love it that some of you think Bower had/has the power to impact petroleum prices.
I do not think anyone suggested Bower controlled oil prices. Only a pea brain would come to that conclusion. Sounds more like a comment on the mess Bower left behind in Raytown after eight years of his heavy-handed rule. Face it, he brought us Walmart which has been an economic drain on the city. Since the tax dollars going to Walmart do not help pay for city services the deterioration of public service begins to take hold. A non-existent code enforcement policy under his reign allowed irresponsible people and absentee landowners to erode the value of our homes. Then he created a pension plan for the police department that will eventually bankrupt the city. He ushered in a management style that left the city with absentee department heads. What is worse, the city council is being extremely slow in replacing the bad policy decisions of David Bower. Almost all he has built is still in place. Makes you wonder if there will ever be any change. I hope so. 'Cause if it does not change, things will not improve.
Would you have them rush so as to make more mistakes?
From watching and listening to this new group it appears to me they are methodical and think before acting.
Sounds like good stewards of their constituents taxes and thinking "outside the box" to me
Unless, of course, if waiting to make the changes is a mistake. Six months have passed and not much has changed from the way Bower ran the show. He dumbed down the committee system so Sharma and he could keep a handle on things. He loaded city hall with personnel that think and act as he does. A few have left, but most are still there. Guess we can wait and watch. I cannot help but wonder. After a year has passed will you agree that some changes should have been made?
Sounds like someone did not get their man of choice in office.
Interesting comment. Here is a way to determine who is right and who is wrong. Write me a list of changes since this new Mayor and Council took charge. Don't worry, you won't use up much space. Because very little has changed. Here is the challenge. Prove me wrong.
Please don't think that apathy is the same as approval. There are still many people in Raytown who care for their community. Consider the situation on a personal basis. Let's same someone you trusted asked you to lend them some money. You are their friend so you do so. Then that person goes out and wastes the money and does not pay you back for the loan.
Would you be inclined to lend them money again?
In 2010 the city council made a promise to the people. Pass this tax and we will use the money for parks and storm sewer problems. Five years later they have spent the money entirely on parks. They have broken their promise.
Would you give them more money?
Well, the city (we the taxpayers) saved a pile of cash due to the timely intervention of the "save our turn lane" special interest group.
Last year the city hired an engineer to design sidewalk and curb repairs along Blue Ridge Blvd. that was to be done in conjunction with a repaving of the road surface. As it was explained to me, a grant from the feds was available to help out with the cost, if bike lanes were added at the same time. This would have cut out most of the turn (passing) lane from 59th to the north city limits.
Earl this year the survey crews were out assessing what work needed to be done to add legal handicap ramp access for the sidewalks as well as replacing curbs that were worn out or gone. There was to be some sidewalk replacements too where the walk had settled away from drainage structures.
So when complete, there would be a nice new looking road with up to date compliance on the sidewalk handicap ramps as well as the aforementioned bike lanes.
But before the city could go to bid on this for the fall 2015 construction season..... along comes said "save our turn lane" objectioneers. All of their dirty work errr, I mean, civic duty, was done behind the scenes... not at a public forum, that I am aware of. A place where those of us who would support such an idea could speak our piece.
So what Blue Ridge Blvd instead got was: The city had a crew go along the edge of the road with some hot mix, patching the busted out gutter pan by the driveways. Which will be long gone before springtime after the snow plows pummel it with repeated runs and is just another waste of time and money. Also, today a contract crew came along with fresh new paint stripping... turn lane and all!! Yippee
I hope you are wrong about the bike lanes not being built on Blue Ridge. I cannot understand why they do not come up with a plan that keeps both bike lanes and the turnig lanes. The city has the right of way. All they would have to do is tear out the existing sidewalk and replace them with bike lanes that would serve both pedestrians and bicyclists. The lanes could butt up to new curbs on Blue Ridge. If there is a federal grant out there the city should take advantage of it and beautify one of Raytown's more scenic roadways.
To 7:45 am
I'm with you on that. Would be nice
The big problem with putting the bike lanes where the sidewalks are is that then they will be crossing all the driveways and side streets. That is a problem because bikes tend to move much faster than walkers or joggers. The other trouble with combining the two is the extra cost involved with tearing out the old and installing the new. Putting the bike lanes between the curbs only adds a small amount of paint to delineate them. Somehow, Blue Ridge Blvd works (without a turn lane) to the north of 51st. I drive that part of Blue Ridge often and never see rear end collisions or big traffic jams because there's no turn lane. BTW... the plan was to have turn lanes at the major intersections. It's too bad one of the gateway Boulevards into our city is being left to fall apart.
At least, maybe this year the city plow drivers will stop plowing when the snow is cleared from the driving surface of the road. Every year I've been here the plowing starts in the middle of the night and doesn't end until after noon. The plows literally are bumping up against the curbs before they are done. I always find chunks of asphalt tossed up on the sidewalk by the plows when I shovel it. They plow this road at least ten times both ways. And that's after the snow has stopped.
Why not make a pass or two then move on into the side streets. There're lots of people that would appreciate that.
I would imagine that the meeting to be held on Thursday will be well attended. I say this because of all the people making comments about the mayor and the board. I know that they are really interested in what solution they will arrive at so that more comments can be made.
From Raytown Park Board Minutes dated October 19, 2015
Reports of Standing:
Finance - Terry Copeland stated he had read reports that Super Splash expenses were reported to exceed other city parks. He said Raytown has 6 parks totaling 103 acres with total revenue of $1.2 million. He estimated if total park revenue is divided by park acres, the city spends an estimated $11,600 per acre on park maintenance. He would prefer that Super Splash stay open as a community pool. When compared to Super Splash expenses this is not an excessive amount.
Staff Reports:
Director - The Finance dept has been provided an up to date list of FY15 Capital Expenditures for Super Splash. The Park Board would like to split this cost with the City as per the agreement made earlier this year. The FY15 Super Splash capital improvements total spent is $129,281.53. This does not include the water-slide change order since the BOA rejected that change order in May 2015. The City's share to be transferred to the Park Fund is $64,640
$11k annual on one acre - REALLY????
NOTE TO OUR READERS: Some have noted an inconsistent stream in the publication of a few blog comments this past week.
With the publication of last week's Raytown Report we made an internal change of how posts are published.
In past issues, posts were linked specifically to the current week's publication. We did this because we found some bloggers were posting comments from old story links. This meant their blog comment would not be posted with the current story.
Our new plan is to allow all posts to be made available through the current week's blog.
As with all changes, the transition can be a little bumpy. We expect to this "lag time" from blogs linked to old posts to become less of a problem as time goes on.
Thank you to those who brought this to our attention.
To Raytown Newbie
I believe the area north of 51st on Blue Ridge Blvd is not Raytown that may be why there are not turn lanes. When I was younger none of the turn lanes were there but traffic was minimal. It is an Emergency snow route and easily access to the major thorough fares. I'm sure bike walk lanes would be wider to compensate both. As both travel at different speeds and both cross driveways and side streets.
Signed Beth
Went to a Raytown park today. Found they resurfaced the walking paths. Only one problem. They neglected to remove the goose poop before they put down the oil and gravel. Kind of like on the streets, right? Well, at least the streets only have cracks in them, not lumps of goose poop all over the place. I think they should fire George Mitchell, Kevin Boji and all the other people associated with the park board. And they want more money???????
The Park Board Director, Kevin Boji, thinks the city should continue the agreement with the park department made earlier this year. Don't forget the city council and mayor who made that free gift to the park board are no longer in place. With the exception of one candidate, they were either defeated at election time or saw the writing on the wall and decided not to run because they were smart enough to figure out not many would support them. The voters chose new leaders because they wanted change,not more of the same. That so called agreement was muscled through by David Bower with the support of a weak city council. Those days are gone. Maybe Boji is not aware of the change in leadership. In keeping with the Bower/Sharma type of government, he lives in another city (Riverside) far away from Raytown.
A franchise fee is not a tax it is a fee paid for use of right aways a company uses to do business in a local
Taxes are paid on the total of the bill
One of the main reasons I left Raytown was the high cost of living. Raytown was affordable! Contributing to the high cost of living is the high electric and gas rates along with the franchise fee and sales tax. It was explained to me that the sales tax also taxes the franchise fee. In other words, it is a tax on a tax!
When I buy a house, I question the seller's precious utility bills. I am sure current and prospective new businesses also watch utility costs and taxes as a cost of doing business in making their decisions to move to Raytown or to leave Raytown.
I strongly suggest that the BOA lower the franchise fee and not tax the franchise fee with a sales tax since these taxes impact decisions on moving to or leaving Raytown.
Andy you are so right on this one. The franchise fee is a tax. It is billed to the utilities for their use of the right of way and basically as a business license to operate within the city.
The utility company passes the "franchise fee" on to the user. The user (anyone who pays a utility bill in the city) then pays the the "franchise fee". Call it what you will, it is a tax levied by the City on the amount of money you pay for your utilities. It is the very definition of a tax.
Trying to gloss over it with so much verbiage is just a way bureaucrats try to hide what is really going on.
In Raytown it is even worse. Not only is there the so-called franchise fee (tax), there is also a sales tax on top of the franchise fee!!! In other words you are paying a tax on a tax!
The City Council has a choice on this one. They can vote yes and reach a little deeper into your pockets or, they can vote no and say it is not the utility users fault that electrical bills are going higher.
Either way the city does not lose. If the council votes "no" the tax remains the same. If the council votes "yes" the tax goes up.
By the way, I see the "out of town city staff" has recommended the the city raise the tax. Why am I not surprised?
When I lived in LIBERTY MO and Kansas City Mo I to had to pay a franchise fee and a local sales tax on my utilities as well as my cell phone. Just a shame a few cities do this
Not all utilities have a franchise tax on them. Go check you latest water bill. No franchise tax!
The water co is owned by the city.
I went to dor.mo.gov. Chapter 147 and learned a lot about corporation franchise tax . It is a percentage of the par shares of a corporation like KCPL or MGE or Comcast or Sprint who do business in several cities and towns. A local utility such as raytown water co. Does it's only business within the city.
The City of Raytown does not own a water company. Raytown Water Company is a privately owned business. It serves approximately one half of the people o Raytown. The other half are served by Public Water Water Supply District No. 2. It is a public utility. It's Board of Directors are elected by voters who live within the District. If you wonder who is right in this discussion, call the water companies direct. Raytown Water Company phone is 356-0333. Public Water Supply District No. 2 phone number is 353-5550.
We will be writing more about this subject this weekend.
Doesn't Raytown water co. On 63rd st only serve Raytown residents? Wouldn't that make a difference to the franchise fee as stated in the missouri sept of revenue stating? It also talks of llc franchise fees. So Greg why do all other utilities have frachise fees across the board in towns and cities?
One of the main reasons I left Raytown was the high cost of living. Raytown was affordable! Contributing to the high cost of living is the high electric and gas rates along with the franchise fee and sales tax. It was explained to me that the sales tax also taxes the franchise fee. In other words, it is a tax on a tax!
When I buy a house, I question the seller's precious utility bills. I am sure current and prospective new businesses also watch utility costs and taxes as a cost of doing business in making their decisions to move to Raytown or to leave Raytown.
I strongly suggest that the BOA lower the franchise fee and not tax the franchise fee with a sales tax since these taxes impact decisions on moving to or leaving Raytown.
Water bills have a primacy fee on them
Primacy Fee is a fee the utility collects and keeps. It is not remitted to the city. It amounts to .005% of the water bill.
Other utilities that you pay these franchise fees for are your electricity, natural gas, telephone (yes, your cell phone too) and internet/television service.
The real crime is that after the city collects the 8% they then tax it another 2% sales tax. Yes, the city taxes the tax!
Not all cities do this. And even if they did, it would still be wrong to collect a tax on a tax.
I am not surprised city staff endorses the tax increase. None of them live here. None of them will pay the tax!
Anybody who thinks a tax increase on electricity in this economy should have their head examined. Go check with REAP and find out how many requests the receive for assistance with electric and gas bills. You will have your eyes opened.
The city collects a franchise tax on your electricity, natural gas, telephone service (yes, your cell phone too) and on internet/television services as well.
Someone once wrote on this page about hogs at the trough. The city gets an average of 8% on most utility bills. It does not take long to see who the hog is at the trough.
We pay a tax on a tax?!?! About 240 years ago we fought a war over that. Maybe it's time to start another rebellion.
Utilities are charged a franchise fee and then pass them on to the consumers along with surcharges and other user fees some collect. Then they raise their fees for the regular service. It is never ending. My light bill even adds a charge for offering other services I don't even use.
Post a Comment