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| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Paul's Rant!
URBAN LEGEND
Raytown is a Low Tax Town . . . NOT!!!
A
result of the budget crisis facing Raytown has been a vocal number of people casting about for
solutions. One often repeated solution is raising the property tax on
homeowners and business owners in Raytown.
Proponents
point to the city’s property tax and correctly claim that it is a low levy
compared to most other area cities.
What
they are leaving out of the equation is that when you add together all the
other property taxes districts which include: Raytown Parks, Fire District,
School District, Jackson County, Library, Mental Health Fund and Blind Pension,
the property tax levy becomes one of the highest in the metropolitan area.
The
same can be said about sales tax revenue. Once again, Raytown has one of the
highest sales tax rate in the area.
The
problem is not that the city is does not produce enough revenue. The problem is
that Raytown has a history of over-spending. What is worse, the past two
administrations under Sue Frank and David Bower led Raytown down a path of
fiscal insanity that has left the city saddled with millions of dollars of
debt. The Raytown 350 Live TIF is the white elephant in the room very few at
city hall even want to discuss.
Voters will take dim view of raising taxes when
they have been misled in the past. Following is a short list of so-called “dedicated
taxes” that promised to solve specific problems in Raytown. Many of those
promises have fallen short.
PARK /
STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENT TAX: In 2010 the voters of Raytown approved a quarter
of a cent sales tax for funding of parks and storm sewer improvements. The
ballot language specifically said the sales tax would be “split” between park
needs and storm sewer needs.
In 2015
newly elected Ward 1 Alderman Karen Black pointed out the sales tax had been
collected, but the “split” never took place. In fact, ALL of the sales tax went
to the Park Department.
After
many special meetings the Board decided to use the following formula to “split”
the sales tax. The Park Department was guaranteed $280,000 annually. Any money
collected after that would be “split” 75% for parks, 25% for storm sewers.
Incidentally,
the five years of sales tax collected between 2010 and 2015 was never returned
to the city.
There
are probably a good number of people in Raytown who suffered storm water
related problems due to flash flooding this past summer.
Do you
wonder if they want to pay more money for taxes when the city did not come
through for them under the 2010 sales tax?
TRANSPORTATION
TAX: This sales tax was dedicated to be used for transportation purposes only.
At the time the voters were sold on the tax package, “transportation” was
translated to mean the timely and proper maintenance of neighborhood streets.
THE
REALITY: A portion of the sales tax goes to pay for the small ATA bus driven
through Raytown twice a day. It is part of the agreement with Walmart which
promises to provide public transportation to the Intermodal Bus Stop located at
Walmart on 350 Highway.
The
Intermodal Bus Stop is the circular part of Walmart Way located on the west
side of the Walmart Parking Lot. Its entrance and exit is on 350 Highway. Part
of the “transportation tax” is paying for the debt created to build Walmart Way
and the traffic signals on both sides of 350 Highway.
PUBLIC
SAFETY TAX: Many people are aware taxpayers were promised additional patrol
officers when the Public Safety Sales Tax was approved. In reality, what
happened was a slight of hand by which some officer positions, funded from the
general fund, were switched to be paid for by revenue from the special sales
tax.
Technically speaking, the sales tax did pay for those positions. But there
was not a net gain in officers on the street as promised. The rest of the money
did pay for new police positions, for the most part, those positions are office
positions within the department.
TIF
REQUIREMENTS: Another little secret not shared with the public is that any
sales tax, whether it is new or old, is captured by the retail establishments
that make up the TIF project. This means nearly all sales tax dollars (in the
case of Walmart) does not make it to city coffers. The sales tax is used to pay
down the debt of the TIF bonds.
Even if
it is a dedicated tax, like the Transportation Tax or the Safety Sales Tax, a
good size portion of the sales tax collected goes to pay down the TIF debt. This is true even if the sales tax is created
after the TIF is created.
To
their credit, the Board of Aldermen has made some changes that will help the
situation. They have ordered the Raytown Police Department to quit the practice
of giving officers cars to use to drive to and from work.
They
have made substantial cuts in every department at City Hall. The struggle they
are involved with now is with the Police Department. The word from City Hall is
that the Police are coming around to the reality that the money is simply not there.
Hopefully,
the Board and the Police Department will come to an effective agreement that
cuts the budget. No doubt it will be difficult. It is not really a question of choice. It must be done or the city will be in a situation of not being able to pay its bills.
Property
Tax Increase
is not a Silver Bullet
A
reality that has finally dawned on many at City Hall is that even if the
property tax were to be increased – it would fall far short of what is needed
to raise funds that simply are not there. The reason is simple. Raytown is a
Fourth Class City. Which means it is a statutory city. A statutory city is
governed by the laws of the State of Missouri. The state of Missouri limits how
high the property tax can be in a statutory city. As of this writing, it is
$1.00 per hundred dollars valuation.
If the
city were a Charter City, it could be raised higher. But the voters have turned
that option down four times in Raytown.
A
property tax increase would have to be approved by the voters in Raytown. Not
only that, but depending on which State Law you are following, it may be
require to be approved by a super majority (more than 50% approval) of the
voters.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
following column is in response to an article in Time Magazine just published
last week. We have sent these missives to Time Magazine before. But are still
waiting for a response.
The Fight to Change
How Hurricanes are Named (a response)
How Hurricanes are Named (a response)
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
It was
just 39 years ago the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization decided to
name hurricanes using male and female names on a rotating basis.
According
to the article, “Gender bias still persist, albeit in more subtle ways”.
A 2014
study found that people are less likely to prepare for hurricanes with women’s
names, which makes those storms more deadly.
Well, there you have it. It has
been qualified because someone did a study on it. Now we know it is serious
business. A fine outstanding group known as NOW, has been disrespected because hurricanes
with female names are not held in as high esteem as hurricanes named after
boys.
Aside
from the absurdity of having to dig back 39 years to start this story, my wife
and I find it totally ridiculous.
We are Midwesterners
hailing from Kansas City, Missouri. We worry more about tornados around here.
The tornados do not get named, probably because they are so short lived. But
they do punch a wallop when t they hit. We do not measure them with Category
numbers. A more simple solution has been found by recognizing the strength of a
storm by measuring its force with the alpha/numeric F1 through F5.
For
those not familiar with Midwestern tornados, F5 is the type that means “run and
hide!”
But, as
Mark Twain once famously wrote, I digress.
This
article is about the ignominy of those members of NOW who feel defamed because the
female names do not garner the attention male names do when hurricanes are
tagged with a moniker.
Here is
our solution.
Between
my wife and I, we have been the proud owner of five dogs.
Their
names were Meko, Cuddles, Biskette, Vee, and Wickett.
Meko
was the only boy. A strong willed Dachsund. Miko and “V”, a very protective
German Shepherd, were of pure breed lines. I bring this up because we do not
want some sort of class warfare to muddy the waters of our crystal clear
solution.
In the
American tradition, the rest were all mutts. Cuddles was a Cocker Spaniel /
Bird Dog mix. Biskette was an American
Eskimo / Cocker Spaniel mix. And, now there is Wickett, a Miniature Poodle /
Scottish Terrier Mix.
The
reader will note that even though each dog was either a girl or a boy dog, the
names (with the exception of Biskette, are not gender specific. This fact is
the genius of our solution to the age old problem of NOW members being
disrespected because hurricanes named after girls are not properly feared.
As
owner of these find dogs we would proudly allow their names to be used to
identify hurricanes. We feel quite certain the dogs would not mind. We also
believe other pet owners would allow the same. Of course this does open a whole
new bag of worms.
Cat
owners, and, cats in general, will probably feel left out.
Maybe
we can name some tornadoes after them.
To paraphrase
the Harry Potter folks, “problem solved, crisis averted!”
Greg
and Mecee Walters live in Kansas City, Missouri with their “forever puppy”
Wickett. Wickett was named after the leader of the Ewoks of Star Wars fame.
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163 comments:
Paul, trying to make an anti-tax levy argument by lumping in all taxing authorities is like saying everybody else gets taken care of but the city of Raytown, in which we live, can't take care of its needs. Let's go back to gravel roads eh?
Lees Summit, Blue Springs, Kansas City are all more expensive to live when you factor in all taxation.
With regards to the charter, the voters have spoken loud and clear, several times. Respect the decision and move on.
Previous BOA have ruined this city, do we want a political appointee as chief or a lawman elected by the people? Its democracy. Let's embrace it.
I say no tax increase. Learn to live within your budget like the rest of us have to do.
You make it sound like it's the City's fault we pay property tax for Raytown Parks, Fire District, School District, Jackson County, Library, Mental Health Fund and Blind Pension. None of those funds benefit the City of Raytown and it's unfair to imply they do.
The point of my article is that Raytown is not a low tax city. The numbers speak very clearly on this point. Our problem is the ill-advised use of tax increment financing that is a failure by any definition.
When you give away up to 25% of your sales tax revenue to support a TIF program that is best defined as a failure, the result is not a good one.
Raytown is a statutory city. We are governed by laws of the State of Missouri. We do not have the flexibility of a charter city to surpass limits on how much local taxpayers can pay in property tax.
The reality of a history of broken promises by city hall on distribution of sales tax dollars in street maintenance, storm water improvements and public safety make it doubtful the voters will follow a call for higher taxes.
The CITY of Raytown doesnt tax as much, if people have an issue with higher taxes complain to the Fire District but most importantly the School District. Maybe people need to check in on their budget and performace, the city has 10 million, how much does the school district, and for what results? Being said, I am happy we have a Board who is as fiscally responsible as the past two have been, too bad the Mayor cannot follow suit.
The more you give, the more they (city hall/PD) spend, the more they spend, the more we have to give. It is a never ending cycle of waste.
We all know that the Mayor bleeds PD blue, but this is nonsense and it needs to stop NOW!
Paul,
You are omitting the truth. When you look at Raytowns property and real estate taxes, and sales taxes that are entirely dedicated to run the City--- our taxes are lower than Lees Summit and Kansas City and Blue Springs.
When you include all other taxing entities you get the same result.
The CITY taxes are not high. You just don't like taxes, and you think they are all high.
You have to look at the total taxing package the City employs. Yes, the Fire Distict has a higher rate, but their total budget is just over 3 million dollars annually. The City has a budget north of 12 million dollars so they are generating 4 times the revenue with 60% of the levy. How is this possible, it's easy Raytown gets a piece of everything you do. If you buy a car...you get taxed, you pay your phone bill you get taxed, you pay your cable bill you get taxed. Raytown just goes about it a little differently, they collect almost double what Independence and Blue Springs does in sales tax and their franchise fees are as much or more that any neighboring city. Raytown EMS charges 500.00 more than KC for the same trip to the hospital and we have some of the highest permit fees in the Metro. Don't buy the we need more taxes excuse, we need accountability and responsibility. We need less Churches, school district buildings and other non tax generating buildings on our highway cooradors. We need to develope business areas that generate revenue, not giveaways that bleed us dry.
12:26 -- you are mis-represnting what I wrote. I did not write that Raytown had the highest property tax levy. I wrote Raytown has one of the highest property tax levy.
For instance:
Lee's Summits combined property tax levy is $9.3729 per $100 valuation.
Raytowns combined property tax levy is $9.3380 per $100 valuation.
Kansas Citys combined property tax levy varies with the school district within a given area. Sometimes it is higher than Raytowns. Sometimes it is lower.
You can check this out at the Jackson County, Missouri website. The have listed ALL of the levys for different communities within the County.
People may exaggerate and parse their words. But numbers are what they are. They do not know how to lie.
What you are trying to say is that Raytown does not have a good tax base to draw from. I agree it is not diversified enough. The city is small and not well planned. All the taxes you described are not unique to Raytown however.
If I hear one more person tell me that the city no longer has a reserve I swear I am calling the SEC, AG and news media and let them know there was no reserve it was the left over bond money.
Anyone with a high school education and a little time can figure that out.
What I cannot figure out was if only 24 million was actually spent why was the other money not paid back at that time on the principal to save on interest.
Guess we don't have professionals running city hall after all!
445
Raytown actual is 10 mill
Increasing tax levy is a start toward the long term solution. "Fiscal responsibility" only goes so far. You're dealing with numbers too big. As for the police budget catastrophe, You'll see, unlesss the board reduces the cut to a realistic number, there will be permenant damage to our city and extremely reduced service. It will be very different than what everyone is used to. Sure, the board can dig in, but the city will be forever damaged and set back 30 years.
The city council must pursue any avenue to fix this budget mess. Frankly, they should have rolled out a plan during the town hall meeting, not just a bunch of theories. Property taxes, whatever it takes. I'm afraid for how the police department will be changed. You can't cut that much and expect otherwise. There is room for compromise. The question is, will they meet the police half way to save our city?
The aldermen can be the heroes if they can find some way to spread the budget cuts out over several years instead of trying to make up decades in one dangerous cut
5:40 AM,
What are you talking about?
There is NO money to spread over several years unless they go defunct on the bond payments for Sue Franks 350 live project.
You don't have to be an accountant to figure this out is all is in the budget over the last several years.
You also need to question Mike McDonough and why since he was elected mayor has ran around town and city the city has no financial issues.
Clearly once a cop always one not only telling lies, but writing letters to justify a top heavy over spending department.
Citizens for Reform
Why does the city even have finance directors if they don't know how to budget tax payer dollars? The past finance director never gave a hint of budget problems and now he's gone and the city is broke. WTH?
There will be 1+million unspent dollars that will roll over into the upcoming budget. The aldermen must reduce the giant budget cut, NOT a new sidewalk. It's been used for years, we should do it again until a better solution is in place. Save our high level of police service, and save our city at the same time.
Citizens for Reform
Good point I am sure the mayor and board were working off what they were told by the past finance guy. I heard a talk he gave to a group a little over a year ago saying how stable the city was. So 7:49 looks like you are calling out the wrong person(s). Maybe you should have your facts straight first before you speak
540
Spread cuts? the PD wants more and more, from the Town Hall audio I heard they want 2.7, but there is only 2 million in reserve, use that and a broken traffic light couldnt even get replaced, the PD is way too fat plain and simple and there is no other choice.
The current BOA needs to washer their hands of this mess by doing the following:
1.) Self disclose the issues with the bonds to the SEC and ask for an investigation on city.
2.) Self disclose the issue with the bonds and how money was spent to the AG and ask for an investigation on the city.
3.) Contact a competent attorney and sue the school district for moneys given unrelated to the purchased of the property for phase 1.
Keep in mind the current school superintendent has sued several cities and the county over TIF issues.
4.) Call a press conference where citizens, all local television news stations are invited along with the KC Star and Independence Examiner to disclose the steps taken to address the issues with the financial mess created by Sue Frank, the 2007 BOA members who votes for the project, the 2007 School Board Members and the 2007 TIF commission for placing the city in financial ruins.
This only address the Bond mess, but needs to be phase 1 cleanup.
Wow you are uninformed
The city wants the PD to cut 2.7 million
I am with 7:49
If folks on the BOA don't know the right questions to ask they don't need to be on the BOA or teaching are kids either.
Time for hard questions and educated folks willing to ask questions.
11:19 how quickly your forget it was the BOA that wanted to make that same finance director our city administrator.
Doesn't say much for the vetting process.
The last time I checked the BOA is the boss and like any corp board they are responsible for the flunkies they hire or allow to remain employees.
6:01 Well said and sums up the BOA short of the new lady from WARD 5.
She has spunk and appears not to play games with anyone including the mayor.
The BOA has a SMALL window to correct their decision before it negatively impacts every resident and business. Who will come here if we have a part time police department? If it's true that unspent money will be rolled back into the "coffers", over a million dollars, then there is NO excuse. We are all paying attention.
With the budget cuts to the police department, the parks won't be safe to be at so that increase is in sales tax is a joke.
We need to raise some type of taxes. The revenue just won't magically appear.
Citizens for Reform
The BOA cannot gut our police officers with this budget cut.
A question that has yet to be answered is if the BOA asked or knew how cutting millions from the police department would affect the police. The decision was made in a secret meeting and, as far as I have been able to tell, the police were not consulted. If someone has seen anything official, (not evidence in a basement), please let us know. THAT then begs the question, If the BOA did not ask, how could they make that decision with no information? Shouldn't the leaders of our city ensure that they have all available information when taking steps of such magnitude?
The Walmart deal orchestrated by then city administrator Wensin, finance director Estes and then Mayor Frank hammered the nails into the coffin of Raytown finances. All left the city leaving Mayir Bower to lower the coffin into the grave as Lynch and Bowman threw in the dirt. RIP Raytown. You were once a thriving middle class community, but greed and incompetence by those in charge killed you off.
403
Not too quick are you. If you have only 2 million in reserve you can use, you can't spend 2.7 million. If you spend the whole reserve down if any problems arise, they can't be fixed because there is no money. You are clearly out of your element here.
5:01
Not sure if you even watch the meetings, this board has been asking great questions and making good points. Seem off base there. Also, its "our" not "are" but from tour comments you don't seem to bright.
No, no investigation needed, we already know what the problem is. Plus, city hall already is perceived as unstable due to the midnight hour stunt pulled by the boa. Instability does not attract people or businesses.
10:00 pm -
A secret meeting? Again? Come on - we know there are no secret meetings. Jim Aziere said so. But wait - I bet you have proof on the floor of your garage! Give it a rest already.
Hi 6:20
"but from tour comments you don't seem to bright."
Actually it should be "YOUR comments" and "TOO bright."
It's funny when the person criticizing someone else makes mistakes as well. Geez people!
PROOFREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The decision was made during closed session, not secret meeting. You've made a good point though, DID the boa even ask how the police department would be changed before they decided? Why not?
Hey I have an idea how about instead of talking about all of these issues on this anonymous blog how about you go to a board of aldermen meeting and let them know how you feel about what they are doing.
Thanks to the vandals who shot a hole in my double pane picture window. That's hundreds out of our fixed income. Less money for grandkids Christmas, tougher to come up with tax money.
Things like this make me want to move.
Yes, I know that it could happen to us anywhere. But it didn't, it happened to us in Raytown.
Now the parks wants to put on the ballot a 3/8 of a cent park tax with a 20 year sunset clause. They have gone nuts.
6:20 you are correct good questions from Mims and that is about it!
5:01 is correct teachers are not good at answering questions and standing up for the citizens much like they do at school (look the other way).
6:33 an investigation is needed to proceed with criminal charges
“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
― Winston S. Churchill
Remember when the FOP Rep during the Town Hall meeting "Highlighted" Raytown's crime rate was near the top of the metro area during his fear factor rant. But more importantly does anyone remember Alderman Teeman replying "Just goes to prove simply THROWING money at the problem hasn't helped either". Raytown's PD submitted budget this year was over 4 MILLION DOLLARS MORE than Grandview's PD budget was in 2016. How did that work out???? Nothing screams for a re-organization more than this monster that has been allowed to swell downstairs at City Hall. Chief Lynch has had near the largest budget and resources in Metro KC per capita and simply not got the job done. If he was a GM of a professional sports team with unlimited payroll resources and continued to produce last place results, he'd be shown the door. He has gone on record saying he can't produce for Raytown citizen's with this adjusted budget. But yet continues to cash the big check. Do your constituents a favor Chief Lynch and hand the reigns over to someone who feels they CAN do the job and lead the new direction the PD department is sorely lacking.
Q:Lets say the city has a reserve of $1M or even $2M. What happens when the reserve is transferred to the general fund and spent?
A: It is no longer there and there is no money in reserve unless it is somehow replaced which is unlikely. In my personal life, a reserve is used only for an emergency, not to add funds to the budget.
Andy Whiteman
Agree or not about a tax increase, At least the parks is doing something to better serve our city
My travels take me over to 47th and Norfleet frequently. The new pavement on 47th, installed by Independence and KCMO, is wonderful. For about a month I have noticed a water leak at the intersection dribbling up through the new pavement. I thought: "well, water leaks can be everywhere not just in Raytown". Then as I drove through that intersection today was I surprised to see the Raytown water company crew digging up the nice new Independence pavement looking for the leak. Wonder how they will patch that road up?
Homeowners always pay dearly living in crime infested neighbors. Something to think about when cutting police. The taxpayers will pay one way or another. Security systems, burglar bars, cameras, new doors and locks. Turning on porch lights at night. And that's just the cost paid to provide additional protection and deter criminals. Then there is smashed windows, vandalism, etc. Next comes declining resale value of your home. Less generational wealth to leave to your children. Lower property taxes for the city. Vicious cycle. Don't believe me? Look at Detroit. Kinda makes voting for a tax increase a lot easier....
I'm pretty sure every free spending bureaucrat in the country could toss out Detroit as some kind of a scary example of what their city could become if the taxes aren't raised.
My recollection is that Detroit hit the skids when most of the auto industry shut down due to fierce competition.
For a local example of the tax/crime equation Take a look at the Wyandotte County taxes. Some of the highest if not the highest in the Metro. Is their plenty of crime over there? Oh yeah!
I have been trying to keep up with all of this crap the police dept. has been putting out and that is just exactly what it is. Recently I saw on TV that they the (Raytown Police Dept.) were going to start bing at the Schools to stop speeders protect our kids But is ant that what they should be doing In the first place? I have been going around several of the schools to see if they are present anywhere close but could not find them any place. I no from living close to one of our high schools that they are not doing a very good job. These kids are going so fast when they go past my house that if they wanted to stop it could not be done but there are NO COPS around anywhere.
Last night the police were suppose to tell the board old alderman that they were going to STOP the night crew on the streets but that never happened as far as I know because I don't have cable. The simple fact is that our Police Chief is once again trying to scare and I for one am tired of it. Tomorrow I am going to contact the Mo.Attorney Generals Office to find out is that is possible for no other reason than they are trying get what he wants from a city that just plan doesn't have it. In my opinion Chief Lynch needs to resign NOW. The city of Raytown would have a heck of a lot more money if he left and some of the others highly paid desk sitters as well.
If you are interested in knowing how much our neighbors in Jackson County (or Raytown) pay for taxes and what the county says the fair market value for their property is.
Just go to: maps.jacksongov.org/parcelviewer/ and you can find out.
The house I used to own in Independence has a market value of $136500 and the taxes are $1996
The house I own in Raytown has a market value of $116500 and the taxes are $1976
Independence rate is 1.5% of value. Raytown rate is 1.7% of value
I don't understand levy and mils and all that as well as I should but my simple math tells me that taxes are quite a bit higher here.
If you spend a little time browsing around the "parcel viewer" you will learn that some folks are paying much less than they should. To me this is low hanging fruit that the city should be trying to collect. Maybe instead of a crime analyst, the city needs a fair tax analyst.
Criminals supply the crime. Citizens demand protection and the police respond. They can't be everywhere. You would have to build a wall around Raytown to stop the crime in this town. The more crime you have the more police you need to fight it. I see the police. They patrol my residential street once a day. I see them answering calls with sirens blazing. They are on the move. I rarely see them parked somewhere. Although I don't see a lot of speed traps, I suspect the police are busy answering calls all day. And that's the evidence we have not seen. What's the call volume each day?
How is it that the fire district gets so much money? My tax bill shows them getting almost twice what the city gets. Something not right there folks.
Being a class 4 city stinks. That's what allows this sort of illogical situation to exist.
Can someone explain this to me?
I try to live within my income so that I can afford to pay taxes for an out of control police department. Chew on that for a while all of you who bleed PD Blue
My thoughts about the brew haha going on in the city. #1 Balance the budget #2 Stop overtaxing us #3 Leave us alone
Wow another uninformed reader!!
I watched all the meetings lately and no where did the board or the police say anything like you are spouting about night crew.
Before you speak know what you are talking about
Stop the night crew on the streets!? That's out of left field. That's never been talked about.
It's great that the police are keeping our kids safe from speeders in school zones. I've seen them there and am grateful.
I've seen some of the nonsense come from other city's police and think chief Lynch is doing a good job.
Phase 2 - Addressing the police and their scary tactics.
The Board of Alderman need to take the following steps so that the citizens of Raytown are properly informed as well as catch the police stealing from the tax payers:
A.) GPS
1.) A weekly report needs to be provided to all Alderman showing when and where the vehicles are. This we prove that we either do have 8 patrol cars on the street every shift or only 4 as suspected by to many citizens.
2.) Provide all officers with a city phone with GPS so that the phone can be tracked that it is moving with the vehicle and at times is away from the vehicle and report this information weekly to the BOA.
NOTE: Both of these will provide quicker response for officers who do not respond to there radios in a timely manor.
B.) W2
1.) Now that there is knowledge of all the take home vehicles and being that all officers what to compile with the law every offer know to take home a vehicle will have W2 updated for past 3 years to reflect this benefit.
2.) Verticals driven for personal security jobs (HyVee and Walmart) will have those miles also included on the W2 for past three years.
NOTE: The vehicles are property of the city of Raytown and therefore the BOA manages all city property and finances.
C.) Bids for service
1.) The BOA needs to send out for bid police service to the following: Lee Summit, Independence, KCMO and Jackson County Sheriff
2.) Bids should be broken down by the following: Dispatch, Patrol and Detective.
NOTE: This doesn't mean the BOA would act on the information, but would provide an idea if we are spending correctly not only dollars, but more so manpower.
D.) Independent Staffing Review
1.) Contact companies and have the police department review to ensure we are properly staffed. This will either validate we are top heavy or need more officers.
2) Validate based on other cities and calls for service, population and SQ miles number of officers actually needed.
These 4 simple steps can make our BOA look like true winners and provide facts to why the police budget should have been cut years ago.
In addition, provide a report to the citizens for every year since 2007 the number of employees on Jan 1 for each department, average number of employees for the year, and budgeted number of employees for the year, that years budget amount, that years actual amount, and percentage of increase or decrease for the year.
Separate the report by department and show a total at the end as too many citizen are missing the point while every other department has take a hit year after year the police have been on an ongoing increase.
So if over a million dollars of unspent money will be available like a couple posters said, there is no reason that should go toward anything else but maintaining the level of police service in our town. RPD does so many things that other departments don't, safety fair, police academy for residents, popcicles for kids, coffee with police, and so on. Other pd's do some, but they don't do all. That's what makes raytown a great city. And it'll be the first thing to go away probably.
The chief and officers that I've run into have always been friendly and professional.
Stop night patrols? That's a new one I haven't heard. Don't believe everything you hear on social media.
I bet the po-po is laughing their butt off after hearing that comment!
You should get involved to know what is really happening. Don't believe the basement dwellers.
So the police woke me up last night to tell me that my garage door was open (I had accidentally left it open.) THAT is the police department that I want and demand. The boa better figure out a way to minimize their budget cut. If heard of a LOT of unspent moneies being turned in at the end of a budget year, to go into the upcoming one. Happens every year. The boa need to use that to lessen the cut.
I see a lot of people upset because they think the PD will cut night patrols, reduce officers on the street, allow crime to run rampant, etc. That isn't going to happen. Lynch et al will find a way to make this happen. I guess none of you were paying attention at the town hall meeting when one of the aldermen pointed out that command officers with a base salary of $65,000 were bring home over $100,000 with all the overtime. If they cut out the overtime of the command officers, they'll have enough money to keep all the officers on the street with no cut backs. It will depend on who Lynch cares about more - his buddies or the people.
Oh and 7:07 - the fire district gets so much money because we the people approved and voted for the taxes. If you don't like it, get out and vote.
Wow that's asking a lot of Alderman and city staff for all those equations!!
Time costs money too. If your board can't trust their staff of professionals to run things the Aldermen micromanaging will make it worse. To say the police are doing something wrong with no evidence is just ludicrous
Ummm you weren't paying attention!
No staff officers make overtime they are on salary. Only Sergeants and below or street Cops if you will, are paid overtime
I just read a comment that Beth Bennett made as a RPD employee. Which was 85% of the budget goes toward salaries and that we have 4 patrolmen on the street plus a sergeant. Really and how many chair warmers do we have drawing the big bucks? We need more patrol on the street and fewer chair warmers. Maybe some of the civilian workers need to learn to multi task. Its time your guys put on grown up pants and stop whining like the bunch of spoiled brats you are.
I think it is time for the mayor to resign. He no longer has credibility in the community.
Cut night patrol? How about putting some fat chair warmers on the street instead of behind a desk figuring out how to blow through 8.5 million dollars of tax payer money.
Was it just me or was it really mainly older white folks at the meeting for the police.
Police like to scare the older white population in to believe the minorities are coming to get them.
The minorities and rightfully so are scare the police are wrongfully going to get them or even kill them.
This is why we need valid numbers that show how many officers are really needed.
Lets manage by "Fact" and not "Fear"
Lets be "Honest" and not "Lie"
Lets spend "Wisely" and not like a "Fool"
Raytown for honest government
Lynch is a turncoat we all know where his priorities are and it is not with making sure we are safe it is with his police buds. He can say anything at election time but when the pedal hits the metal we all know what side he will come down on.
The time has come for both Lynch and McDonough to sell their houses pack their bags and head on down to the lake and join their friend Marion Beeler.
6:50 PM, I used to calculate mill levies for a fire district in CO. There may be a good reason why others pay less that you think they should. Everyone is entitled to a Homestead exemption which may be called a Head of Household exemption in other states. This exemption is received only if the owner applies for it. Also there is a veteran's exemption but again only if applied for. There also may be a senior/low income exemption. Some properties are classed as agricultural which means very low taxes. That is because the property was once used for agriculture and never reclassified when the use changed or the use may not have changed. I have an issue with these IF they are still not being used for farming or ranching! You may go to https://ascendweb.jacksongov.org/ascend/(nmfpyjm4jheagmmohu1kqpz2)/search.aspx
to look up tax bills for exemptions and classifications.
Andy Whiteman
I thought at first blush (look up idiom), that the idea of contracting police services was just plain unworkable... but after reflecting for a bit, it does seem like a possibility. The City of Kansas City already has patrols going through Raytown just to get to parts of KC adjacent to Raytown.
What? You don't want "outsiders" doing our policing? Well, sweetheart, they already are. A very high percentage of the Raytown PD are NOT Raytown residents. And as recent events have shown, the PD can be very self serving.
I am in favor of the BOA at least giving a consideration to this option. Which BTW is a proven solution to other communities in our predicament.
I would be in favor of doing the same for the fire protection district as well, but that could be more problematic since they seem to have some sort of irrevocable autonomy.
Thanks for the explanation, Andy. An example of a parcel wrongly being classified as "agricultural" could be the Raytown water company guy's stable. I see it mostly as a nice little tax haven for the enjoyment of his friends and family and the use of the water company as a storage facility and dump. Could be wrong here but that's what I see on Google Earth. I'm sure he laughs all the way to the bank. Oldest company in Raytown? They would not survive a week if there was any competition.
It's long overdue we need to bring in a time consultant or an efficiency expert and have them (the police department) evaluate the police department. What they will find out is Lynch can't manage a department, much less taxpayers hard earned money.
Phase 3 - Safety Sales Tax
The Board of Alderman need to take the following action:
1.) Contact the MO Ethics commission and self disclose that when the 2009 BOA along with the city marshal presented the ballot measure for the safety sales tax to the votes the documents indicated at least 5 more officers on the street along with many other things of which none have come about.
2.) Call a press conference where citizens, all local television news stations are invited along with the KC Star and Independence Examiner to disclose the steps taken to address the issues with misrepresentation of a ballot issue by the 2009 BOA and city marshal.
I am sure this will be easy to prove as not only where those officers in the budget for years after 2009 and never hired, but also I bet several folks in Raytown still have information that was mailed and handed out pushing for the ballot issue that indicated the hiring of the officers.
Did you all not pay attention to the BS law enforcement had to put up with when Obama was in office? There isn't a police department in the country that isn't short of officers. And with Raytowns lack of conpetitive pay and now this drama, you will be lucky to keep a viable number of officers. And good luck if you think any other city would give you service at anywhere near the amount you have now.
Signed a concerned citizen
Good grief! What kind of fantasy land do you live in?
I have lived in Raytown for 5 years. The police come quickly every time I have called. Extremely pleased with the response times.
Some folks are complaining that the patrol officers don't live in Raytown. SO?
I work in Lenexa and live in Raytown. Are we supposed to buy a new house with every new job opportunity?
How would you like to go out to eat at a restaurant with your spouse and kids and see someone that you had arrested? That may put the officer and his family in a difficult situation. Not to mention food tampering may occur!
Please people--give the officers a break. They care about this community or they wouldn't be cops here.
I just want to say even thought the city has no money is is so nice they have brought in "Johnny's on the spot" for the home to use while camping out in our downtown large park.
This is truly a sign of progress and properly "Christian" care for others.
Blessed are we!
Raytown's pay is very competitive with other departments in police salaries. Heck the city has one patrolman who made over $60,000 in overtime! Why do you think the city is in such a financial crunch? Some of the police officers, particularly the older ones, have two pensions to look forward to when they retire! Where do you think the millions of dollars the city needs to cut goes? It sure is not for street repair. Animal Control or code enforcement. Go get a copy of the budget and read it before you start mouthing off of how "underpaid" the police are.
If you think their pay is competitive, you need to look at base salary, not overtime. There's so much overtime because they are short of people. Good god, do some actual research.
There is not a double pension. Please read the budget yourself before speaking. One was frozen several years ago and everyone moved over to the new one. One stopped then the new one started. Jeez
Good luck attracting police officer candidates after this fiasco. They can go anywhere else for more money and a more stable city council
You should look at other city's starting pay for police. Lee's summit, kc, independence, blue springs is higher and the list goes on. Raytown has much higher crime rate too. But let's send the message that we don't need them even though they chose to come here.
It is not micromanagement to obtain reports that validate facts it is call professional management.
It is sad that under Trump we have folks that no longer want facts only lies, which has been very profitable for our police officers.
Thank you Board of Alderman for bring an end to wasteful spending and no additional patrol officers.
What Lynch and his bodies have done to the city is just wrong and paints a negative picture of law enforcement officers.
The city is the one responsible for there being two systems
Voted and passed by some of the prior board members especially Aziere who keeps talking about saving money but is responsible for so much of the city's financial problems and even admits it at the meetings but deflects to cover up his inequities and blames the police
If you don't want to lose police officers you better call, email or speak at a board meeting to your Alderman before they vote on October 3rd on the budget
Wow!!
That was for the festival this past week
Are some of you all that uninformed?
IMHO: I don't know what is happening now but when I lived in Raytown, I saw Police spending that I felt was unnecessary. This was mainly new vehicles. My car is 19 years old and running well. I won't buy a new one because new cars are miniature, made of plastic, and don't meet my needs. True squads cars receive heavy use, but I think they could last longer if properly serviced and repaired when necessary. Possibly other expenditures could be eliminated or reduced, but officers must not be cut because they are needed on the street!
I think perhaps Raytown needs another department head known as Police Commissioner.
Andy Whiteman
As expected. The scare tactics, much of it wrapped up in subtle racism, are beginning to show. Anybody been warned of the problems Raytown will have if the City Counicl actually balances the budget? People in Raytown should be more concerned with what happens if the city does NOT ballance the budget. Wake up my people! The money is not there. You cannot spend what you do not have. It is that simple.
Paul is right about Raytown having one of the higest property tax rates. To see a chart of ALL of the property tax rates in Jacksion County use the following link
http://www.jacksongov.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/88
You will have to copy and paste it in your browser for it to work. This comment section does not support links.
But the CITY portion is next to nothing!!
If they are short of patrolman it is because Lynch has not chosen to hire more. Pull your head out.
Oh no you don't. None of this manipulative racism BS. Not going to fly here and not going to fly in Raytown. Nobody has mentioned race. Crime has been talked about here but not race. So take your guilt tripping out of here because nobody is falling for it.
Ha! It looks like the city's past finance director is in the news again, this time in Leavenworth County. First he's fired from Bashor KS., Raytown hires him, he quits, then the city hires him again and he quits, and now the city is all of a sudden broke. What's up with guy?
The mayor has developed a new sickness diarrhea of the mouth. Last week end he was at the Craft Beer Festival bad mouthing the BOA. Watch it mayor things like that will backfire on you.
I urge the BOA to balance the budget. Police if we will need to hire new officers would rather work for a city that is financially sound and with a potential of advancing in their job. That will never happen as it is now as we are so very top heavy.
It seems that the boa does not see the solution. Over a million dollars will be rolled into the next budget in 5 weeks. They should plan to use that to keep officers and nothing else. Why haven't they mentioned it? Because they intend to put down more chip and seal with it. Their silence speaks volumes
Wake up it was the cops and their FOP mouth piece that started the race card with comments about watch out for the people from KCMO like we don't know the Po Po slang for that cheap talk.
The money to be carried over from the last budget to the next one must be used to keep officers. Even if it is 8-10, that is huge for our safety. It can be done now to help the problem, until a long term solution can be instituted. Can an alderman (if any look at these posts) explain this?
No one has yet explained why a guy from Lee's Summit that doesn't work here, doesn't live here and doesn't pay taxes here was talking and increasing the fear factor at the town hall meeting. Jim Lynch should have been doing that. Where was he?
No, applicants are way down and they don't just hire some Joe amp off the streets. There isn't a department in the country who isn't short. Open your eyes.
Folks we don't have a police issue on the street.
We have is to many lazy officers at city hall doing God knows what.
If we cut those lazy and useless officers we could pay better and find truly qualified people who want to work and not live off the tax payers while seating at a desk and looking all nice for the city marshal.
If you had been paying attention you would've heard him say he is the state president of the fraternal order of police and he represents all of the officers on the police department m.
I would say with their jobs on the line it was more than appropriate for him to be there
This board and most on this page are angry at 1) the people for not passing the charter and 2) therefore all the board has control over the chief is the budget. You will kill this city with these decisions so I hope you can live with it when your wait on most calls when go up drastically.
Really? My read is that most people are angry at the police department, particularly the command staff for setting new highs of selfishness and not caring about the community. They are angry becuase they cannot squeeze any more funds out of the city council because of the city's lack of funds. One of the main reasons for the fiscal dilemna is the police department. Wake up Raytown! Don't buy into the bullying and scare tactics coming from Jim Lynch and his cronies.
Mayor just remember everything you say always comes back even from as far off as Branson. It makes you look pretty little to the rest of the elected officials from the surrounding communities.
7:29
I disagree. The Chief of Police should have been there. He's the one the people elected to run the police department. If he can't effectively run the department, he should resign.
You mean the mayor lied too folks outside of Raytown as well. Say it ain't so!
This mayor and chief has no creditability or respect from officials from other communities or the people of this fine city
I for one am glad the FOP guy spoke. Some of the alarming crime stats he spouted out did nothing but tell me that even though Chief Lynch has had practically unlimited resources compared to other communities, his dept was simply not getting the job done. Maybe a refined and re-organized dept will surface some new fresh leaders and ideas. At this point I have been severely disappointed with Chief Lynch's public approach and message. While it no doubt will be a difficult challenge he has chosen to practically throw his hands in the air and give up instead of giving the public the opinion that he is the elected official they chose to serve in both good times and difficult ones.
9:08 you cops and your sheep need to stop the lies and scary tatics.
How will you address an investigation by the AG or DOJ that shows:
1.)The miss treatment of citizens by dispatch.
2.)The normal patrol staffing of 4 officers on the streets as confirmed by a lady in the department. Keep in mind Lynch and at least one captain on this blog have said there are 8 officers on the street at all times.)
3.) The misrepresentation with the Public Safety Sales Tax, which promised at least 5 additional officers. (After being suggested by another blogger I called the MO Ethics Commission and they are right this is a violation of law. Call (573) 751-2020 and check for yourself.)
4.) The formula and contributions to the police pension fund.
5.) An elected official who hides from public comments and questions in regards to these questions and more about how the department he runs spends money and is managed. (Keep in mind $1,000 for a pair of boots.)
6.) Not wanting GPS on the vehicles as it will tell a true story of the lack of patrol officers and where the vehicles really are.
“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”: FDR’s First Inaugural Address. However, FDR never expected the misguided and corruption of the Raytown Police.
Raytown for Professional Police
Did you get your feelings hurt by a dispatcher on the telephone? When the ag ot DOJ waste time and money on a bs investigation, are you going to repay the state or feds for this bs investigation? Just because you don’t like how something has to be done, doesn’t mean it’s against the law. Geez. If you know so much, join the force or run for chief in the next election.
Soon to be be former citizen.
Hi 10:08
How have citizens been mistreated by dispatch?
Can you give us some examples?
Thanks
I firmly believe Chief Lynch found Beeler's play book. Watch out chief you maybe out of that new house and at the lake sooner than you planned.
Is it true that the mayor spoke out against board members at the local craft beer location??
Funny how police supporters only attacked a fellow blogger on their first issue with the police.
I guess they agree with the others.
Time for cleaning the swamp
So former Alderman Schlapia can't seem to grasp the dire financial status of the City's current finances and wants to take the current board to task over their decision to reduce Police budget in an attempt to balance the 2018 budget. Remind me isn't this is the same Alderman who in 2007 voted in favor of the revenue bleeding Wal-Mart TIF project, but also by currently sitting on the Fire District Board voted in favor of a lawsuit against that same agreement between the 2 entities. That lawsuit would greatly reduce the Fire District tax revenue contributions to city coffers by dissolving that agreement. That would fund a lot of police officers Schlapia!! Former Alderman Schlapia also sat on the same Board under former Mayor Sue Frank and saw to it that the PD and Chief Lynch's salary and organization and chair warmer's salaries went thru the roof while other city workers wages were stagnant or even frozen. Increases and growth that have lead that dept to be busting the city budget and coffers to this day. And don't forget Schlapia was also the current Mayor's campaign mgr and treasurer in 2015 election. You know the same Mayor that told all the citizen's that he would have the ability to separate himself from the PD when it came to decisions that would affect all the citizen's. Yea that Mayor!
Yes it is
LMAO! There is a thin blue line between financially responsible and financially incompetent. The current BOA obviously falls into the incompetent ranks.
It's only scare tactics if it is not true. Oh, it will be scary for everyone
He's been effectively leading the police department and did away with the good ole boy system. He works to encourage professional development with each employee so that they all can serve the city better. If you don't do that, you have Buckner pd, or Ferguson
The chief and his staff are looked to from other agencies for being on the cutting edge of training, technology, etc.
Unlimited resources, haha. A police department is very expecting run, has the most employees, and the highest liability. No one gets millions in a settlement because their sidewalk is broken.
Sounds like someone needs their safety pin. If you cut police and something happens (it's not if, but when, at that point) do you realize that DOJ oversight costs over a million dollars a year? The city has to pay it. You think there is not enough money now? Wake up.
Who is Beeler and why is that relevant? Sounds like you need to step from the 70's and join us in 2017. And don't be petty.
Let's drain this toxic swamp first. Keyboard warriors unite! Lol
Why didn't the other departments ask for a raise? Sounds like you should be asking those individuals why they didn't, and left you out
"Unlimited resources, haha. A police department is very expecting run, has the most employees, and the highest liability. No one gets millions in a settlement because their sidewalk is broken."
This semi-literate ramble brings up a point to consider:
Maybe yet another good reason to contract out the policing of Raytown...
Then we won't have the liability and we can spend the money fixing broken sidewalks.
Some of you still have not figured it out. The city is broke. If all you do is feed the watch dog all you will have at the end of the day is a heavy set watch dog.
The Mayor and Board have the unenviable job of stopping the flow of red ink at city hall. They appear to have it under control everywhere except for, you guessed it, the police department. The p.d. is still trying to use smoke and mirrors to claim the they have solved the problem. Placing a hiring freeze on positions that have been unfilled for years does not save one penny. You cannot save money when you do not have it in the first place. So quit with the fake budgeting of not filling positions that have been empty for years.
The only solution to the city's shortfall of revenue is to quit spending wrecklessly. Stopping the practice of send police cars home with officers is a start. It will save money on fuel. Check the city's budget. It is a HUGE expense item.
Accept the reality. If there are not any substantial changes in how the department is managed, the high spending ways will continue unabated.
From what I have read their main problems are excessive overtime and a pension fund that no one wants to talk about. I bet if you check the numbers in past year budgets the real high dollar expense became apparent when the pension funds were increased. the fact that some officers will be receiving two pensions when they retire p.d. pretty much says it all.
Who was the genius that wanted to put the fire department under the city? First off, we don't have a fire department. We have a fire protection district. They are two completely different entities. The reason we have a fire protection district is because we don't have a charter. If you want the fire protection district to become a fire department and put it under the city, pass a charter. Under the circumstances, I'm not sure you could figure out how to get one started.
reading these keyboard warrior comments is like watching the movie idiocracy.
Most of you should go outside clean your yard up paint your house and fix the problems in your own yard before pointing and begging for more oversight.
Yes, indeed, go and clean your yard and paint your house (code for shut up) and I will take care of spending your tax dollars. And when we run out, we'll just get you to raise the levy by telling you scary what-ifs.
The paper said today that Raytown's problem is white Flight. They said the people with money are leaving town and either selling at a loss or renting to people with less money. If this is true no wonder the city is broke.
Has anyone else noticed an uptick in the scare tactics being employed by those who do not understand you cannot spend money you do not have? Jim Lynch is laughing his way to the bank every pay day while he stirs up Raytowners with threats of how bad things are going to be.
Seems like he needs a tutorial on basic budgeting. Rule no. 1: You cannot spend what you do not have.
Help find a solution Jim. Finger-pointing and blame placing never solved a problem. You can be a part of the solution. But so far you have chose the slippery slope that resolves nothing. You can be so much better. Become a leader.
If we can't afford to pay cops then we sure can't afford a highly paid city administrator, or salaries to aldermen of $500 a month plus. Savings there would hire 8 or 10 cops at least. Did you see the "sacrifice" by administration at the town hall meeting??? They cut $3000! These nit wits making these decisions have never bothered to attend a citizen police academy, do a ride along or figure out even how pd spends their time.
I'm sure Jim wasn't laughing when he told his people that they wouldn't have a job on Nov. 1. The pd wanted a compromise, and the boa wouldn't hear it.
The scare tactics claim has sailed weeks ago. This is very real. Sounds like Jim is being up front with his people. That is a true leader.
Oh, we saved $8000 in gas for take home cars. Drop in the bucket.
It would be very enlightening to see a pie chart of the PD's budget based on actual numbers, not spin.
Also, what is the truth on the PD pension plan(s)? Will that one day turn into a massive financial burden that Raytown can not afford?
It would also be enlightening to see behind the curtain at the Raytown Fire Protection District. When I see the vast majority of the runs are made to assist the EMTs, it just seems like that's a such a wasteful use of trained firefighters and their expensive equipment. But, in reality, what else is there for them to do?
It won't ever happen but I believe the small city of Raytown could easily fight all the fires we have from one central station and have two or three teams of EMT escorts using suburbans to help out with the ambulance calls. Yes, it's been said a hundred times: they need to take the fire trucks on those runs so that they can hurry to a fire if one happens while out. Hmmm, wonder how many times that has actually happened? Anyone?
The post about the cheif of police only recieving a two percent raise is very misleading. The two percent raise is given annually over a four year period. Do the math. It comes to a lot more than 2%.
Speaking of Raytown's Chief of Police. I see he is continuing his hiding from the public. He did not stick around for the public hearing a couple of weeks back. Now his public relations officer has conned the television news media to carry the ball for him. Interviews on KSHB TV with people commenting on how unhappy they are, but, guess what. No Jim Lynch. Hiding behind a press release sent out on social media reminds me of another political leader.
Offer some solutions Jim. Your behind the scenes maneuvering is not doing anyone any good.
By the way. I caught the clever play on words about the city losing 17 positions at city hall. Okay. Time to fess up. How many of those positions are currently filled by a human being.
Eliminating positions that are vacant from an employee chart will not balance a budget Jim.
Try being part of the solution. What you are doing is becoming a BIG part of the problem.
Just checked the KSBH TV blog. Jim Lynch's letter is not getting much traction there. Must be the rain. It diverts everyone's attention.
Better luck next time guys. Maybe if the Chief did not hide behind his subordinates the news media would pay more attention. It will not take long for the falseness of Lynch's 17 POSITIONS being removed from the budget is a false issue.
How many of those positions are currently vacant and how many have been unfilled for a very long time?
This was sent to me today:
"The median home value in 64133 is now $109,000, compared to $96,631 one year ago. Home values in this area are expected to increase 4.7% one year from now."
A rising tide lifts all boats.
For all you rats who want off the sinking ship, now might be a good time to bail.
Jim Lynch showed up last night. What did the city council threaten him with to get him there?
Still have not figured it out? When you run out of money you cannot buy the things you believe are essential. This includes personnel in businesses. Even in government. Last hired,first fired? Time for a reality check. If you eliminate positions the person holding that positions is most vulnerable. Not the last fired in an organization. Quit the scare tactics and work for a solution.
I am glad to see the Chief of Police has finally recognized the drain Walmart has on the community. I wonder if he is still supplying individuals who work security there during their off hours free use of police cars and equipment. Walmart should be paying for that as well.
The real question is, why has he allowed it to go on for so long?
Even though he is right about the drain Walmart has been on Raytown for resources, he still does not address the reality that he has to cut millions of dollars from his budget because the money is not there to pay for all he wants.
wal mart is not the drain it is the people that go there to commit crimes. If it was Target there it would have the same problem. Its not the store but the people that commit the crimes because they can get away with it.
Went to see the Royals play ball last night. They were playing the Detroit Tigers. I watched to see how many would take a knee during the National Anthem. None of the players did.
Must be a football thing.
8:22
Both the baseball players and fans have more class than the football players and fans. You don't find a lot of drunks at baseball games, nor do you find people beaten and robbed in the parking lots at baseball games. When was the last time you heard of a baseball player accused of dog fighting or wife beating? Which baseball players killed their live-in girlfriend then went to the stadium and committed suicide? This is all actions you find in football.
Do any of the people complaining about Off-Duty Police Officers working at Wal-Mart have a clue what off-duty means? The business pays the salary of that Officer, not the City. As far as the car goes, first it is a deterrent that shows Police are present. Second it's only about two miles from City Hall to Wal-Mart so gas usage and wear and tear is minimal. Third if something major breaks out the Officer who is there could potentially be called on.
Getting tired of reading the opinion of arm-chair cops.
9:47 wrote:
"The median home value in 64133 is now $109,000, compared to $96,631 one year ago. Home values in this area are expected to increase 4.7% one year from now." This is true, but the problem is that because of the Hancock Amendment, if the home value goes up, the mill rate must go down so the city collects the same dollar amount each year. It will take a vote of the people to raise the amount collected. Bower and his buddies knew they were despised so much that they would never get a tax increase passed, son they didn't even try.
12:44 pm said "Do any of the people complaining about Off-Duty Police Officers working at Wal-Mart have a clue what off-duty means? The business pays the salary of that Officer, not the City." Did you tell Chief Lynch that? I ask because it's not what he told the KC Star last night.
Lynch said "Walmart does hire off-duty officers for security at the store. But on-duty officers still must respond to calls at the store, Lynch said, which drains resources."
That tells us Walmart is not paying for all the cost associated with the 500 or so arrests at the Raytown Walmart. The city should start charging the store for each arrest made there. I think people forget that when someone is arrested, it is not only the arresting officer's time, but the time of the jail personnel who book him/her into the jail, the prosecutor's time and judge's time. That costs the city money.
Let me get this straight. The city is broke. The police are going to have to take a huge budget cut. But we still have a enough money to provide free police cars for watchmen at Walmart. The cost is minimal?!?
Some of you folks have lived in a bubble so long that you do not even recognize when you have lost the fight. The Board of Aldermen cannot give you money they do not have. Accept it. You have an opportunity to rebuild. Jim Lynch spouting nonsense about putting the blame on Walmart while giving people who are hired for Walmart free use of city property is pure hypocrisy.
The city needs a solution now. Lynch's carrying on about how the city should charge retailers for crimes committed in their stores is nonsense.
Please enlighten us. Name one city where this is done so people can check it out and see what nonsense it is.
I believe it was the aldermen "carrying on". In between their sermons and self-aggrandizing.
We could always go to Kansas City and ask to be incorporated into them. We wouldn't have to worry about fire departments, city administrators, police departments, board of aldermen or anything else. We can default on the TIF, and let KCMO manage our parks. We can do away with the failing Raytown schools (next to the lowest test scores in the area), and live happily ever after.
9:37 wrote: "Do any of the people complaining about Off-Duty Police Officers working at Wal-Mart have a clue what off-duty means? The business pays the salary of that Officer, not the City. As far as the car goes, first it is a deterrent that shows Police are present."
I disagree. Chief Lynch said Tuesday night that 30% of the police resources, which is about 500 arrests a year, is taken by Walmart. Please tell us how the police car out front is a deterrent. Secondly, the Chief also said when the off-duty officer arrested someone, an on-duty officer must take him/her to jail. Walmart may pay for the off-duty officer, but who pays for the on-duty officers?
High tax burden for working families. 1% City earnings tax. Tax burden would be higher than it is now.
Well, people are calling Jim Lynch a liar. Maybe he is. Who knows. What I do know is that Jim Lynch makes statements in public, sometimes on television. A bunch of Anonymous people call him a liar. Who do we believe? What proof do you have? When did you stand up in public and tell Jim Lynch his statements were wrong? If you want us to believe you, show us something - anything! Please, we're begging you.
High time the courts let the City recover all costs associated with arresting the criminals wherever they are arrested. Why should the taxpayers pay? or Walmart for that matter. Not all the shoplifters are dead broke. Make an example of those who have any assets. If the fine is $500 for shoplifting maybe the lowlifes will quit or slowdown at least.
If the taxpayers have to pay for an ambulance ride, should not the criminals pay for the cost of the trouble they cause?
Since Jim Aziere is the only person left on the city council who voted for the TIF, someone needs to ask why they allowed millions of TIF dollars to be diverted to the Raytown School District. The schools don't collect sales tax, so they can't contribute to the TIF bond payments. He also needs to explain why the school district is not expected to pay any of the TIF bonds. If Aziere can't - or won't - then Teeman, Meyers, or Moore need to start that conversation. How much more would the city have to go towards the police department if the schools paid their fair share?
Denial is a hideous thing. I see it beginning to raise its ugly head on the city budget. People who believe the city council is bullying the chief of police and want them to let the police just do their job are forgetting the reason for the budget crisis. The city is out of money. The city council cannot just cave in an give the police money they do not have. How hard is that to understand? Ask anyone who believes the city has plenty of money to move forward as if nothing has happened. It is called denial.
Don't you think that Walmart should be paying for the police car used by an off duty officer? The police officer working at Walmart is being paid directly by Walmart. His salary for the time worked at Walmart does not get paid through the department. The police car is 100% paid for by the taxpayers. Shouldn't Walmart be charge for the use of the taxpayer's property.
These are simple facts. When I read Jim Lynch say Walmart should be charged extra for all of the crime the police have to respond to at Walmart I sympathetic. But when I learned that he giving the use of city property, taxpayer paid fuel to Walmart it makes me wonder how sincere he really is.
His actions do not back up his words.
By the way. GPS tracking of police cars in nothing new. More and more communities are doing it for two reasons. One, is to stop the abuse of public vehicles being used as private vehicles by public employees. This is not just a city issue. The Health and Human Services Director of the United States just resigned because of similar abuse.
The other reason, and from my point of view, a more important reason, is the safety of the police officers. Here is a list of some police agencies using GPS tracking on publicly owned vehicles.
Glens Falls, NY (nine years); Baton Rouge, LA and Altamonte Springs, FL, (six years); Louisiana State Police (four years); Alameda County, CA (three years); Arvada, CO (two years); and Birmingham, AL (1.5 years), St. Louis, Missouri.
By the way, the Raytown City Council decided ALL city vehicles are to have the tracking installed on publicly owned vehicles.
So far, all city departments have complied except for - you probably guessed it - the police department!
No thanks. My property taxes are high enough already. It is probably best that the police take the cuts and do the best they can. See what the results are and then make a decision about raising taxes. It is tough enough for me and my family to pay the property taxes we already have. Besides, the city is already getting an increase this year from us because the County increased the value of our home.
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