PHOTO CREDIT: Barb Schlapia and Mindy McDaniel
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
The good ship Raytown has weathered a
storm of epic proportions. She had been listing hard to port, but the crew has
righted her and she is set to sail to brighter horizons.
There is no doubt some will want to
carry on with arguments that have already been decided. For the good of our
city, and all of us as a community, it is time to accept what has been decided
by those we have chosen to govern us and move on.
Here are some thoughts on what should be
Raytown’s goals:
THE NEW NORMAL . . . The Raytown Police
Department has been on a forced diet. The Department is now smaller. The Chief
of Police will have to come up with some innovative ways to police Raytown efficiently. The
majority of the Board of Aldermen deserves credit for taking the bitter
medicine needed to rein in a city budget that was out of control. But the city’s
financial crisis is far from over. Their actions stopped the bleeding that was
financially ruining Raytown. But the shortfall of revenue remains. The Board
must stay the course in running a fiscally tight operation at City Hall. They
really have no other choice.
PRIORITIES . . . Raytown’s
infrastructure is literally falling apart. The Board of Aldermen is moving
forward on some major projects like the rebuilding of the 83rd
Street Bridge. But the biggest problem facing this city is the deterioration of
city streets. City Administrator Tom Cole said it best when he told me in an
interview last week “you can continually put a new layer of material on top of
streets, but if the street is structurally unsound it is wasted effort”. The
Board has already had to tap 25% of their reserve fund for street repairs. They
are still in the first month of the new fiscal year! Other major roadways like
59th Street west of Raytown Road have deteriorated so much the city
has posted signs warning motorists to slow down due to the condition of the
road.
PROPERTY TAX . . . Raytown is not a low
tax city. The sales tax rate ranks in the top five of the metropolitan area.
The property tax ranks in the top three. This is not the city’s fault. The
Raytown School District is the main culprit in the high property tax rate.
Raytown is also one of only a few cities with separate property tax rates for
parks and a fire protection district. Many of Raytown’s citizens are retirees
living on a fixed income. An increase in property tax will hurt them the most.
Given those facts, raising the property tax levy is not really a viable
solution. In many cases it will do more harm than good. Board members need to
remember their constituents welfare is the first priority.
NEW TAXES . . . According to City
Administrator Tom Cole, the city could levy a 2 cent sales tax on gasoline
purchases within the city. One thing Raytown does have an abundance of is
gasoline stations. The city is also surrounded by what is called a retail
desert. That means people come to Raytown to fuel their cars. State law
requires the revenue from such a tax be strictly used for street improvements.
This could be a workable solution. The other plus is that the voters will be
the ones who make the decision.
SOME PROGRAMS DESERVE MORE SCRUTINY . . . The
city pays that Area Transportation Authority (ATA) over $50,000 annually for a
mini-bus that is not really used by many Raytowners. It may save scarce tax
dollars to contract with a taxi company or use UBER to provide the same service
for much less.
So there you have it. A thumbnail sketch
of some ideas for Raytown’s future. You may have some ideas as well. Feel free
to share them on the blog portion of the Raytown Report.
Paul’s Rant By Paul Livius
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?
This is going to brief. One thing that
is seldom discussed in Raytown is the bad behavior of some during this past
summer.
Face it, in America we are seeing a
reformation of sorts. Congressmen and Senators are being forced to step down
because of their bad behavior. Nearly all of this falls into the category of
sexual harassment.
But sexual harassment is not the only problem.
In Raytown we have seen extreme cases of bullying by elected officials The
city’s Finance Director was literally run out of her own office with threats of
legal harassment during the budget session.
Ward 5 Alderman Bonnaye Mims has come
under unfair criticism for simply speaking her mind. Ward 1 Alderman Karen
Black has been subjected to shout outs at City Council meetings that were less
than pleasant.
We have not seen such treatment of the
men on the Board of Aldermen.
All of these victims have one thing in
common. They are women. Sexual harassment comes in many different forms. Those
who resort to this subtle form of harassment should realize they are walking on
very thin ice. In the 21st Century, such behavior should not be
given a free pass.
TRASH BLOG!
TRASH BLOG!
At the beginning of Public Comments
Mayor Mike McDonough takes time to outline what is acceptable conduct and
content for public comments. The most important point he makes is that the
forum will not be used to attack others.
He is right to do so.
But the reality is the rule is not being
enforced. Attacks on the integrity of the Board of Aldermen as a whole are
common. It would be more accurate to rename the Public Comments something like “Public
Official Bashing”.
Last week the attacks went beyond the
elected City Council.
A local political gadfly, Tony Jacobs, regularly dresses down the
Board of Aldermen at each meeting. This past meeting he referred to “trash
blogs” in his diatribe.
There is not any doubt. His comment was
not a compliment. There are two blogs that are published in Raytown. One being
the Raytown Report, the other is Raytown OnLine.
Neither of them deserves the moniker of
“trash blog”.
Ouch, that really hurt, Tony. Shame on
you!
Mr. Mayor, you should not allow such
conduct.
CAN I MAIL IN MY COMMENTS?
Another oddity during Public Comments was
the reading of a letter from the matriarch of Raytown Unleashed. At the end of
comments by Brandi Wilmurth, she
asked if she could read a letter from Susan Vorbeck Brown into the record.
The Mayor told her no, she could only make
comments for herself. Then, for reasons that are not clear, he allowed the
letter to be read into the record by the City Clerk, Teresa Henry.
Which begs the question, can anyone mail
in their comment to be read into the record?
To top it all off, Susan Vorbeck does
not even live in Raytown (she makes her home in Independence). In my opinion,
that should not be held against her. If she wants to be part of the community,
more power to her.
Some Raytowners have been critical of
another Independence resident who owns a local business here in Raytown. Elisa
Breitenbach and her husband own and operate Doughboy’s located at 63rd
and Woodson Road.
She is welcome part of the community and
is active in local events. She has also been criticized for not living here. I believe
many of those critics are the same as Susan Vorbeck’s critics. Some of those folks
might consider there is more to be gained in opening arms in welcome instead of
pushing people away.
Speaking of Independence, they have a
Public Comments at their meetings as well. I wondered if the Independence City
Council would allow Raytown residents to mail in their comments to be read into
the record.
So I asked Greg to do some checking. He
knows all of those folks from our giant neighbor to the north. Here is what he
found out.
Independence holds their Public Comments
at the end of the regular business session. Speakers must be Independence
residents unless (at least) four of the elected Councilmembers publicly vote to
allow the speaker the floor.
I asked if letters from individuals
unable to attend the meeting were read into the record by city personnel. The answer
was an emphatic “No!”
The
Paul Livius Report
Raytown
Board of Aldermen Meeting
December 5, 2017
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Tony Jacobs told the Board the Aldermen
need to start a Facebook page and do a Facebook Live segment in order to better
communicate with the residents.
Matthew Cushman said the ordinance only
increases animosity with the residents and the Board should not override the
veto.
Brandi Wilmurth asked Teresa Henry to
read a letter from Susan Vorbeck Brown who wrote the voters will not approve
any tax increases in April if the veto is not allowed to stand.
Mayor Mike McDonough asked for a moment
of silence for Judy Ness, who spent countless hours volunteering and making
Raytown a better place to live. He also thanked the Raytown Main Street
Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Public Works department and the
Raytown Parks Department for helping to make the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony
a success.
MAYOR’S VETO
The Board voted 7 – 2 to pass the
ordinance over the objection of the mayor. Veto of bill 6450-17 -
amending chapter 26, Law Enforcement; article ii, police department, section
26-21, relating to the administrative officer of police department. At its
meeting of November 21, 2017, the Board of Aldermen approved bill 6450-17. On
November 29, 2017 the mayor advised the city clerk that he had vetoed this bill
as stated in attached memorandum. In accordance with the RSMO 79.140, the bill
is now brought forward to the Board of Aldermen for further consideration. In
order for the Mayor’s veto to be overridden, the bill must receive seven
affirmative votes.
79.140. Bills must be signed — Mayor's veto. — every
bill duly passed by the Board of Aldermen and presented to the mayor and by him
approved shall become an ordinance, and every bill presented as aforesaid, but
returned with the mayor's objections thereto, shall stand reconsidered. The
Board of Aldermen shall cause the objections of the mayor to be entered at
large upon the journal, and proceed at its convenience to consider the question
pending, which shall be in this form: shall the bill pass, the objections of
the mayor thereto notwithstanding? The vote on this question shall be taken by
ayes and nays and the names entered upon the journal, and if two-thirds of all
the members-elect shall vote in the affirmative, the city clerk shall certify
the fact on the roll, and the bill thus certified shall be deposited with the
proper officer, and shall become an ordinance in the same manner and with like
effect as if it had received the approval of the mayor. The mayor shall have
power to sign or veto any ordinance passed by the board of aldermen; provided,
that should he neglect or refuse to sign any ordinance and return the same with
his objections, in writing, at the next regular meeting of the board of
aldermen, the same shall become a law without his signature.
Ryan Myers moved to pass the bill over
the mayor’s objections. Mark Moore said he was not sure why “approval” is
such an issue. Karen Black said the only problem Joe Willerth said could happen
would be if the Board wanted to micromanage, which the Board has no intention
of doing. Bill Van Buskirk and Jim Aziere also spoke publicly in favor of the
veto over-ride.
HOW THEY VOTED: Over-ride of Mayor’s
Veto
YES: Bill VanBuskirk, Karen Black, Ryan Myers,
Bonnaye Mims, Mark Moore, Jim Aziere,
Frank Hunt
NO:
Steve Meyers, Jason Greene
ABSENT:
Ward 5 seat remains vacant
The Board passed a resolution
authorizing an amendment to the Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016
relating to the employment and benefits, separation from municipal service -
layoff.
The Board heard the first reading of an
ordinance authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Jackson County
Board of Election Commissioners to utilize city hall as a polling place for the
2018 calendar year This is a request for a cooperative agreement with Jackson
County to provide a polling location for two precincts that serve the City.
Under state law, public entities are required to provide polling locations to
election authorities free of charge and City Hall has been used as a polling
location for many years. The attached contract specifies the rights and
responsibilities of the parties with respect to such use.
The Board tabled a resolution until
December 19 for the continuation of an agreement for inmate security housing
services with Johnson County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office.
Alderman Steve Meyers said the Board had
been told Chief Lynch would be available to answer questions, and he wanted to
table this until the Chief was present. On July 1, 2017 the City entered
into a contract with Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Department to provide
housing for our inmates. The contract will terminate on June 30, 2019. The
Police Department is requesting approval to provide payment of invoices to the
Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Department for fiscal year 2017-2018.
The Board passed a resolution approving
the purchase of ammunition from Gulf States Distributors off the Missouri law
enforcement agency cooperative purchase contract. This resolution will allow us
to take advantage of cooperative bid for the state of Missouri law enforcement
agencies. The Police Department orders a variety of ammunition types from Gulf
States Distributors. The ammunition for training and duty use, for all weapons
systems, is mostly purchased through this vendor. Vendor pricing is from the
cooperative purchasing bid for Missouri law enforcement agencies.
The Board passed a resolution approving
a maintenance contract with Motorola Solutions. The Police Department utilizes
the Motorola radio system during its normal course of duties. To ensure the
life span of the equipment having the manufacturer perform the maintenance will
make certain the equipment has the best service available. Proper maintenance
is necessary to extend the usable life of the radios. This is a recurring
yearly contract between Motorola and the City of Raytown to provide maintenance
and infrastructure repairs to the radio system in case of failure. Motorola is
the designer of the system, has the authority to work on our radios and is the
only supplier of the parts to maintain the system. Because of these factors,
Motorola is the only source that can perform the work necessary to maintain and
keep our radio system functioning.
The Board passed a resolution approving
an annual maintenance agreement with Harris Computer-Global software. Harris
Computer-Global Software is our Records Management System and Computer Aided
Dispatch system vendor. These systems were installed in 2005 and at the time of
implementation included 5 years of support. That plan expired in 2010. The
support plan is now an annual expense. This support plan is critical to the
Department’s function as these systems directly affect how we respond to calls
and investigate crimes.
Tom Cole said the Revenue Enhancement
Committee has met twice. Some of the taxing options could be an increase
in the property tax of $0.66/per $100 of assessed valuation, a fuel tax of 02/
gallon of gasoline sold in Raytown. The committee looked at raising the
tobacco tax, but Mr. Cole said the Missouri General Assembly passed a law
forbidding any increases in tobacco taxes. The meeting next week will be
with department heads in attendance to discuss the needs and the possible fee
and/or tax increases. In order for any tax increases to be on the ballot,
the ordinance must be approved by the Board no later than January 16, 2018.
Mayor McDonough said he had two
announcements before the meeting was adjourned. For those who have been
following the story of Iris, the dog found half dead in the trash bin, she was
taken to the Midwest Animal ResQ center and has made an amazing recovery.
Also, Officer Tom Wagstaff, the Independence police officer injured in the line
of duty was released from rehab and is now home.
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68 comments:
I may be wrong, but I thought that lady's name was BRANDI, not Randi. Could you please check on that and correct if needed.
Thanks
If the lady's name is Brandi, we apologize for the error. Sometimes people are very nervous when speaking in public and they do not speak loud enough to properly hear their names. We try our best to get each name correct. We would appreciate it if someone who knows for sure let us know the correct spelling of the woman's name.
Greg and Paul
I like the gas tax idea. I would support a temporary levy for infrastructure.
The link to the Mayor's letter is invalid. The period at the end was probably meant to end the sentence and makes the link invalid invalid. The correct link is:
http://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/Sites/%7B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%7D/uploads/12-05-17_Web_Packet.pdf
If I need a period to end the sentence, I put a space between the link and the period so it will not create a link error.
Andy Whiteman
We have removed the link to the Mayor's message because we could not get it to work. Though we are sure it is on the podcast of the last meeting. Go to the city's webpage at www.cityofraytown.com
If you are going to complain at public comments, never mention the official by name. You object to behavior or actions without attacking the person. You criticize decisions without naming the person. I have only seen a couple instances where there was a violation of rules. I don’t see this as a huge problem. The visitor from Lees Summit was the worst instance I have seen.
!000% in favor of the gas tax idea. Plenty of money will come from our neighbors who hit the stations on 350. I will buy 100% of my fuel here.
Please BOA, let's get this one done.
I will put a big sign in my yard.
Real estate tax not such a good idea right now.
Let's get our roads and bridges in order first.
I appreciate the sidewalk construction on 59th. Thanks Raytown.
Her name is Brandi.
The city's website is www.raytown.mo.us
Nothing and I mean costs anywhere near the same as it did 40 years ago when the city’s portion of the property tax was raised. If you you expect the city to live on the tax rate from 40 years ago, the city will die a slow death. And it doesn’t matter what the fire and school tax rates are.
TRUTH WATCH: Raytown's property tax rate is not the same it was forty years ago. Every two years property values are re-evaluated by the Jackson County. During the recession the property tax levy was increased to its maximum to help cover the cost of de-valued property in Raytown. Since then the rate has been raised nearly every two years. I think this year was an exception. The rate was not raised, may even have been lowered a bit. Does not really matter. The valuation on property took some huge jumps in the past four years. The city is actually taking in more than it has ever before on property taxes. Of course, there are some who pay less than their share. Walmart, Aldi's, HyVee, Sutherland Lumber, all of them are paying less than they should because the city foolishly gave the tax away to entice them to build here. The vacant lot across 350 from Walmart is taxed as agricultural land! It was supposed to be Phase 2 of the city's Great Leap Forward under Sue Frank and David Bower. There have been some real bone head ideas that have cost this city plenty. Raising the property tax so high that your force retirees and young families out of their homes is a stupid, heartless and down right mean idea. Forget it!
It doesn’t change the city’s amount based on percentage. Just minimal adjustments by county. And they go up AND down.
An increase in the value of real estate will always cause an increase in taxes owed. 1% of $100,000 is $1,000. If the value of the property increases to $200,000 then 1% is now bringing in $2,000
The rate of taxation has not changed, the assessment of the property has, and thus the increase in taxes owed.
You don't get it. If you were to take a random sampling of couple of hundred homeowners and divided them into two lines. One line for those who are paying less property tax than they were four years ago. And one line for those who are paying more property tax than four years ago, which line would be longer?
Spare me the double talk. Raytowners are paying their fair share of property taxes. Most of it goes to the school district. Less goes to the city. That's true in every community. Don't ask them that do not have it the extra $$$$'s to carry the burden.
There are better ways to raise revenue. A gasoline tax would be perfect. The revenue would go straight to fixiing our crumbling infrastructure.
The improper zoning of land as agricultural is one of the biggest tax dodges going. A well known banking family in Kansas City owns a large enclave near Noland and 50 Hwy sitting on the hills overlooking the old dragstrip that somehow the county bought and made into park property.
I'm pretty sure if it sold it would bring in millions but it shows up on the county tax records as farm land and the taxes are just plain silly low.
A lesser example of it here in Raytown is the large parcel across from Blue Ridge Elementary School. It has a business on it, a large impressive building, and behind the building the owner uses the property as storage and disposal of old equipment and material from his other enterprises.
The taxes on this large property are very low. It is zoned agricultural.
These questionable zoning designations cost the cities and county and all of us taxpayers who must pick up the slack.
@6:46
Let's not be overly optimistic. While I support the gas tax, the amount of revenue generated is minimal. A 2 cent per gallon tax would only generate around $200,000 per year.
The problem is that everybody else has taken their turn at the property tax raising through. And the City has not. Now we are at the end of the line, holding an empty sack. I get that the overall tax-burden in Raytown is high. That's true enough. And I am in no mood to raise property taxes for the school district or Parks & Rec.. I do support a temporary tax levy increase for infrastructure. I don't know how we can raise the kind of money the City needs without a temporary levy increase. I just don't see it. So far, no one has offered a different solution.
Give me a break! Even those on a supposed 'fixed' income get periodic increases to their income. Social Security recipients get a COLA increase, annuity and 401K goes up and down with stock market valuations, and if employed, your employer will give a periodic raise for good performance or across the board as a COLA increase, unless you work for some tight@$$ jerk that pays cash or 1099's you.
Increase the city's real property and personal property tax rate!
Could be wrong here but in my opinion anyone lobbying for higher Raytown real estate taxes at this point in time is likely a non resident who works for the city.
Not saying which department of the city but you can probably connect the dots
8:20 am
Come up with a solution that raises $1,000,000 or more that is not a tax levy increase. Hard to do. But give it a try and put your findings here.
8:09am
My company did not give out raises this year. Sales are down.
However, our health insurance premiums are going up, sewer bill is going up, my car insurance went up...you get the picture.
My company has been laying off people so I am glad I still have a job but I am looking around for another opportunity.
8:20 -
You got to give us more to go on that that. They're all non residents!
Posted earlier:
Give me a break! Even those on a supposed 'fixed' income get periodic increases to their income. Social Security recipients get a COLA increase, annuity and 401K goes up and down with stock market valuations, and if employed, your employer will give a periodic raise for good performance or across the board as a COLA increase, unless you work for some tight@$$ jerk that pays cash or 1099's you.
Increase the city's real property and personal property tax rate!
Give you a break?? Really? Just a FYI Supposed "fixed" income as you put it is a reality for those of us on it.
Been on Social Security for about five years now and COLA increases have been tiny and just go to paying for higher Medicare costs. In that time all other costs have gone up as another has very nicely stated.
You sound like someone who does not have a dog in the fight. No real property in Raytown and probably a non resident at that.
Work for the city? Do you?
You probably are wrong
I live in Raytown and don't have a problem raising the city real estate tax
Got news for you, retired 17 years and any increases in SS they raise the insurance that we pay. 17 years and no increases matter if fact any interest I receive has been little to nothing and the stock market is much too variable to tie up my money on a gamble. When you do not have much you do not want to risk any if it.
A gasoline tax of 2 cents would be a good solution for our streets. It would get my vote.
I work in Lenexa--live in Raytown.
I spend about $30.00 a WEEK on gas. You folks who work close to home should be very thankful.
Hey, 3:45 pm, you must have "money trees" in your yard. I sure as hell don't. It will be a "cold day in hell" before I will vote for another city, parks, school district tax.
Raise taxes on liquor, & ciggs.
I know, you are so eager to raise property & personal property taxes, you can pay the tax increase for all of ours!!!!!!!!!!!
I live in Raytown but if you put on a gas tax I will buy my gas where I can get it the cheapest. If that is Independence or Lee's Summit. You seen to think you will get people to stop here going through to buy gas, well I've got news for you they to will go to the cheapest place to get gas. Use your head folks.
7:50 pm
We can’t raise taxes on cigarettes. State law.
The purpose of Social Security is to keep seniors from being homeless. It was designed to assist seniors and keep them from becoming destitute. It was designed to supplement income, not replace it. It helps to slow down the draining of your assets. Nothing more, and was never meant to replace our own responsibility to save for retirement. It was never meant to be our only source of income. Be glad you have it!
A 2 cent per gallon increase is unlikely to cause much disruption.
The city wanted a transportation tax, got it and we get slurry seal. Then the city wanted a public safety tax, got it and we get a top heavy PD hellbent on self indulgence (I.e. new higher rank for ex mayor hubby, Chief excessive out of town travel,etc.) Cityhall and PD top brass need to learn to live within a budget, same as everyone else.
Thank you 5:57 for the regurgitation. Yes, we all have heard it many times.
@ December 11, 2017 at 7:29 AM
"A lesser example of it here in Raytown is the large parcel across from Blue Ridge Elementary School. It has a business on it, a large impressive building, and behind the building the owner uses the property as storage and disposal of old equipment and material from his other enterprises.
The taxes on this large property are very low. It is zoned agricultural.
These questionable zoning designations cost the cities and county and all of us taxpayers who must pick up the slack. "
OK. MYTH BUSTING TIME...
The property across the street from Blue Ridge Elementary is a Presbyterian Church. Properties behind the Elementary school are residential homes. I can only assume that you are confused with the Equestrian Park that is off of 63rd street, which is zoned agricultural. As far as I can tell, it is the only property in Raytown that is zoned agricultural.
MORE MYTH BUSTING TIME.... Another poster had stated that the empty property across from Walmart was zoned agriculture. This is FALSE. It is zoned commercial/vacant. So there is no magic money to appear from properties that could be improperly zoned!
You can check the zoning on any property by going to the Jackson County Parcel viewer.
December 11, 2017 at 7:29 AM
@ December 12, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Good! Some can always use a refresher.
I buy gas where it is the cheapest on my line of travel but I won't make a special trip just to get the cheapest. It is a waste of my time and gas to make a trip just to save 1 or 2 cents. My car has about a 25 gallon tank. When I fill is based on my budget and how much gas I need. I generally buy 7 to 20 gallons when I fill. Most cars have smaller tanks than I have. What is the savings in driving out of one's way to get the cheapest gas? 50¢? 75¢ or even $1. How much gas and time was wasted to save that 50¢, 75¢,or $1? I think most people will buy at the cheapest station that they pass.
Andy Whiteman
I will vote NO for any tax increase.
Thank you Mr. Myrth Buster
But I am pretty sure everyone knew which property was being referenced.
Yes the equestrian park as you so eloquently refer to it is on the other side of 63rd from Blue Ridge Elementary
You seem computer savvy so I suggest you employ Google Earth to take a peek at the "equestrian park" from the sky. Looks more like a dump than a "park".
Code people should take a look.
10:58
So we will have not enough money year after year if we don't have enough income for the city. We need to raise income some how.
I have no doubt. Commercial and residential codes do not apply. So they can get away with it, until such time as the City changes the zoning. Which, will never happened as the water company, or the family who started it, owns that property if I am not mistaken.
KOAT-TV Channel in Albuquerque, NM has reported that the newly elected mayor is eliminating the jobs of assistant chief and majors in the Police Department! It was stated that would allow money for hiring more officers on the street. The details seem vague whether these top level people would take lower positions, be forced out, or would retire. (It was my previous understanding that there was more than one deputy chief. No mention was made of that position.)
Andy Whiteman
You're very wrong. I live on long term disability through an insurance company and I have not had a COLA increase in 10 years even tho my taxes and utilities have increased.
Andy - was the police chief in Albuquerque elected or appointed? I'll bet he was appointed. The police chief in Raytown is elected. Two different things. Come on, man. Keep up!
You would use more gasoline driving somewhere to save 2cents than buying it at home
2:51 AM
Don't be snarky.
Always be kind. Treat others how you want to be treated.
Capiche?
Capiche (ignore spell check) is the standard English spelling of the word, usually followed by a question mark, meaning do you understand? It comes from the Italian capisci. The word occasionally appears in several other spellings, including capeesh and capische, but these are far less common than the standard one.
5:41 AM, My point exactly. I remember when my half-brother would spend a half hour driving across town to save 1¢! Seemed idiotic to me but some people will do that. I either watch gas prices on my trip or check Gasbuddy.com and may fuel at the cheapest on my trip. When in Raytown, I generally fueled at one of 2 stations each a few blocks from my home. I value my time more than the few cents that I might save!
Andy Whiteman
2:51 AM, Regardless of politics, there are several different ways to handle budget issues.
Andy Whiteman
Board of Alderman needs to drain the swamp in the PD and replace the administration! They want more money so they don’t have to change.
It’s time to move on. More important battles to fight.
It doesn’t work that way. You can’t just fire anyone because you want to. People have rights. Leave the the big thinking for the grownups.
I saw a cop hiding today.
I would bet doing a report, but why not set up to look like your running radar and trying to stop speeding.
Only In Raytown
Holy cow couldn't believe it when I turned on the news tonight and actually heard something positive about my beloved Raytown. When was the last time you heard Shawnee, Blue Springs, Grandview and Kansas City sending anyone to Raytown to get training? Nice job Raytown Fire....Now if you could only train City Hall how to be a good steward of public trust and money. Who am I kidding at this point I would be happy if you would just take over the dumpster fire known as EMS
Do we need to raise taxes in Raytown or does the city need to make sure everyone is paying their fair share?
Interesting information on the subject from channel 5 news.
http://www.kctv5.com/story/36805939/property-taxes-who-pays-and-who-gets-lucky
There is a real good example of how real and personal property taxes are figured and broke down on the City of Raytown's Facebook page for all of those that seem to think that the whole amount that you pay goes entirely to the city, or wherever. Take a few minutes and get educated. there is a video and a spreadsheet available. Comparisons are available for surrounding cities as well.
And no, I do not work for the city, yes I do live in the city, yes I pay taxes, and no, I am not a elected official either.
Sutherlands pays it's full share of sales taxes to the city. Sutherlands charges an extra cent of sales tax, which is returned to Sutherlands until their cost of opening the new store is reimbursed. That is why you pay one cent more in sales tax at Sutherlands than most other Raytown stores.
Just our point! The issue is not how much does Sutherland's pay in sales tax. It ishow much do the taxpayers pay Sutherlands. For instance, the Sutherlands in Independence does not receive and extra 1 cent of sales tax like they do in Raytown. Both are close by. Guess where I do my shopping!
So who monitors the tax at Sutherlands to make sure they are only collecting until the money is paid back.
Sounds more like a ponzi scheme.
The reason I shop at my Raytown Sutherlands is simple. Nothing to do with 1% of taxes on my purchases. I can get my lumber right in the store. It is a pain in the tailgate to have to make my lumber purchase sight unseen and then go around the building to pick it up. Way old fashioned there.
I'm not sure the CID expires. I always thought the CID stayed in effect until the store was closed. The money is to help the property owner to maintain the property and keep it looking nice, inside and out. Both Hy-Vee and Sutherlands do a great job of maintaining their property. It doesn't hurt the wallet as much knowing the money is being used the way it was intended. (Novel idea, right?)
I endorse a gas tax, but it doesn't bring in enough money to really help. It could be used for streets. The property tax increase is needed to bring services back to acceptable levels. No tax increase equals longer wait times for police. I can get that at KC, but don't want to. We have a way to fix this, let's fix it together
I always thought that the CID was the city selling bonds to pay for buying the property, building the business, as well as costs of opening the business. Maintaining the property is a normal operating expense of the business. Taxpayers definitely don't pay for maintaining a private property. The CID expires when the bonds are paid off from the tax revenue (usually 20 to 30 years). IF the store or business closes the CID still exists and the city (taxpayers) are stuck with the loss of retiring the bonds.
Andy Whiteman
10:57 see the story on KCTV5.
The money is there if the city would get on the county to equally tax everyone.
Stop the lower taxes for special friends.
While at is stop the abuse by the police department with their lies.
No Andy. You're thinking of the TIF Bonds. The TIF is supposed to pay for the property, build the business, and is set to expire at a specific date. The CID is just that C(ommunity) I(mprovement) D(ISTRICT).
The boa the past several years have been fiscal hawks, the kcata conversation about alternatives was already discussed in an open session.
So I see in the Star today that Chief Beeler, resident of Smithville, and former Raytown Police for 30 years has passed away.
I wonder how many Police Chiefs Raytown has had?
Wow. I would have thought that Beeler died years ago. He was such an overwhelming presence in Raytown, then poof, nothing. Can't recall, did he resign, retire, or was he voted out of office? Took a typewriter or something, didn't he? I do wonder how he would have policed this changed Raytown, this changed metropolitan area...
Glad we are decades past the Beeler days and the racist stories I've heard. Turnbow, Overfield and Lynch have instituted professionalism in the police ranks. Keep it up!
So you think the city can override decisions by Jackson County? That’s really funny! The citizens need to rise up against the Jackson County assessment department and make sure they’re doing their job .
Jackson county governments not gonna listen to the city that’s for sure
Obit must have been written by "The Chief" as it constantly refers to him.
He was 90. It runs over a column. Details his entire life as a cop. Nothing much about the good times he spent with his family on vacation or such.
My obit to be written by me will be light on what I did for a job and more about the family I have loved and what we all did that made my life worthwhile.
"My obit to be written by me will be light on what I did for a job and more about the family I have loved and what we all did that made my life worthwhile."
Well said. <3
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