Paul’s Rant BY PAUL LIVIUS
We received the following post
in the blog section of our publication. The post was signed by a group calling
themselves Citizens for Truth in Raytown.
Exactly “who” Citizens for the Truth
in Raytown is not known. But we were able to check the facts of the story and
found all of them to be true and extremely accurate.
The post is reprinted here. We did some fact checking on the document and found it to be an accurate and honest message to the voters of Raytown.
Anyone who
plans to go to the polls next August 7th to vote on the three tax
increase proposals for Raytown should consider this message required reading.
Citizens for the Truth in Raytown
I would like to point out the shell game the
City is playing with the way they define and report the taxes they receive.
First, it is a complete and bold face lie to
state the City has not increased the property tax mil-levy rate. One simply has
to look to the City's 2017-2018 Budget and you see that in 2009 the levy was
.3189, in 2010 the Aldermen arbitrarily decided to increase the levy to .3668
or 15% increase.
That increase basically remained in place until
this year when the Hancock Amendment forced the City into lowering the levy to
.3373 which still amounts to a 10% increase in just the past 8 years.
The shell game comes into play further when you
hear people like the Mayor publically state that the Library receives roughly
the same amount of tax revenue that the City does. Statements like those are
deliberate and only serve to deceive the voter.
You see, the City does not only derive all of
its income from the property tax. The city also receives millions in hidden
taxes we all pay.
Just look at your utility bills some time or
your cell phone bill and you will see franchise fees or taxes which generate almost
4 million a year for the City.
Every homeowner in Raytown must pays these fees
on the natural gas, electricity, internet and entertainment services (i.e., cable television) and telephone service.
Even your cell phone service is taxed.
Here is a little secret most Raytowners are not
aware of. Both your electric and natural gas bills are double taxed.
Check out your last electric or gas bill. You
will see the Sales Tax follows the Franchise Tax. That means the sales tax is
applied against the amount of Franchise Tax you pay! That’s right you are
paying a tax on a tax.
The City is the only entity that is allowed to
collect this tax and the City does nothing to earn it. When you equate this
franchise tax we all must pay in to the mil levy it makes the City’s tax rate
$1.94 which makes them by far the number 2 taxing jurisdiction in Raytown.
Just a brief Google search will show that
Raytown’s franchise taxes are the highest in Jackson county, make no mistake
these are taxes plain and simple. When you then add on the fact that a whopping
12% of every cent of sales tax goes to the City as well, you really start to
see the narrative that is being sold is not close to truthful.
Please join us in sending the message to 10000 East
59th on August 7th that we have had enough of the lies...
Signed the Citizens for the Truth in Raytown
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
Raytown Live
Kicks Off
Summer Family
Concert Series
About 100 people showed up to the inaugural
Concert of the Raytown Live Summer Concert Series. The event was held at the
Green Space located near 63rd and Raytown Road. Warm southerly
breezes greeted the concert goers who were treated to a two our hour concert
last Saturday evening.
AnnaLee and The Luck So and So’s performed for
two hours, treating listeners to their renditions of music from the 1940’s and
1950’. AnnaLee provided the vocals, accompanied by a lively mix of horns and
guitars.
The Raytown Live Summer Family Concert Series
has scheduled four more concerts. All the concerts are to be held at the Green
Space located near 63rd Street and Raytown Road. All concerts begin
at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. The following schedule is planned for the
series.
June 9th . . . . . . Marty and Gary
July 14th . . . . . . The Jerry
Hooper Band
August 11th . . . .To be announced
Comments
We need to stop the infighting and come together to create a solution to the city's financial challenges.
At this rate nothing will get done and we'll be in worse shape than we are now.
The Board of Alderman have already proven that police are now properly staffed.
The issue before was too many chair warmers which was proven by the number of officers on the street when Lynch took office 16 years being the same 16 years later.
This on top of the fact that before the Nov 2017 show down reporting facts from PD to other agencies on the number tickets or should we say lack of in the years the PD were over staffed.
I would say you wanting more money for a department that doesn't need money is justification for voting NO on any of the cities tax issues.
We stayed until the concert ended . . . in fact, we helped Alderman Karen Black carry some of her stuff back to her car after the event.
Whoever wrote the message seemed to take offense at what he or she thought was a low count. (the blog was unsigned). I can assure them there was no ill intent in the count we arrived at.
Personally, I thought the turnout was good. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The weather spectacular and I can tell you I look forward to future concerts.
8:34 pm
The person who wrote the post about the attendance level did sign their name.
Our current administration believes the best way to fix the issue is to through more money at the problem, but refuses to provide any protection for this within any of the ballot questions.
One write warns of the bait and switch, which is an issue that has been a black cloud over not only are city, but this Nation for too long. The issues is a new special tax is created or current tax is increased, but without special verbiage that ensures the current funding from the general fund remains the same those same less than trustworthy elected officials move the same amount from the new tax or tax increase out of general fund money original assigned to that same budget issue.
An additional to this concern with our current administration, we must also look at other solution then to create new taxes and increase others. All of this when the mayor created a special committee to review solutions to our funding decline….wait only to look at tax solutions not any and every solution.
This does just happen when our leadership at city hall is closed minded, but even more so when they have a hidden agenda and in this case to move money from the general fund to the police department. This is even after it was proven the department has been not only over staffed for many years, but every year does less and less to prevent traffic accidents.
One of the greatest impacts to our streets are the increase number of companies providing trash services. On my street alone there are at five every week. We are not alone as cities like Kirksville, MO have done stories on the issue and they are down to one contracted service.
http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/news/20161109/city-official-says-garbage-trucks-damaging-local-streets
This is not a new solution, but one that was brought up several years ago only to be shot down by Alderman who would prefer to vanbuskirt the taxpayers by supporting corporations over public safety and additional street decay.
Not only would few trash trucks on our street increase the life of our streets and also address the issue of residents not having trash service, which leads to issues for the neighborhood. Don’t forget a cost savings to the taxpayers as a lower cost is negotiated in those communities where the city selects the service and bills the residents on other bills like our sewer billing.
This is just one solution that actually would save the taxpayers money and life of our streets, but those great minded and honest folks elected to represent us only want more of our hard earned money and not reasonable solutions that actually benefit all of us.
10:14 pm
"Regardless of what side you are on with the upcoming tax questions there is a common agreement our instruction (streets) is failing."
You meant to say "infrastructure", correct?
Both Raymore and Belton went to a single hauler (Jim’s) early this year and that start up debacle was a nightmare and frankly all of the discussion cooled quite a bit. It may be worthy of picking up the discussion and iniative at some point because it does if executed have some upside. 2 bulk item pickup days per year and also curbside recycling, but like somethings just because it looks great on paper doesn’t always mean it will lead to a better and improved operation.
Have a productive week Raytown!
Steve Meyers,
Alderman Ward 4
However, we still have Alderman that don't understand about public health over profit, which is why Raytown is the smoking capital of the KC Metro.
Not a good title, but really brings something to those "Only In Rayotwn" folks.
We were promised a refi of the TIF last year. Then we were told we had to wait for the court stuff to finish, then other excuses. There is still no movement to refi the TIF, which would save a crazy amount of money.
They still have more clerks per resident than many areas, they gave the Prosecutor a raise because his people were having to do the work of clerks after SB5. But if you ask the city they have the same workload. Both can not be true.
The parks wants to get a 3/8 cent sales tax in April. The State wants 20ish cents on a gallon of gas in Nov. That doesnt include the 5-8 other tax increases on the ballot and the city raising all fees and coming up with new ones.
The city has money coming out of every orifice, even though they are wasting everywhere there still more than they are spending.
NO NEW TAXES, at least not until they complete their promises or at least try and reduce expenditures. The mayor had a tax increase committee but not a expenditure reduction committee. they want money worse than a strung out drugged up liberal teenager.
Utter nonsense. Have you ever looked at the budget? To imply that the City coffers are overflowing with money is an absolute falsehood. I know of no public official who is willing to make such a claim.
7:34 am
No I try to read all the posts. Details do matter.
A well-written piece will get more views.
You don’t want a police department or public works you just want to let our city continue to decline and not boost our too low income and budget
The expenditure reduction committee was conducted by the BOA. They reduced expenditures last year. It was all over the news.
And remind me what part of the Board reducing the budget by nearly 3 Million Dollars last year broke any promises. They said they would present a balanced budget and did just exactly that. These taxes are long overdue and if previous Boards would have worried more about their fiduciary responsibility and not re-election desires, Raytown wouldn’t be in the dire situation it is.
and the freedom to pick the one you like.
Wrong board and Mayor you’re blaming
The ballot language doesn't prevent the current funding from being reduced.
It is that simple!!!
Without that language the city will move whatever amount is generated by the gas tax from public works to PD from the general fund money.
Still the facts are not swayed.
It remains that Raytown has one of the highest property taxes in the area already.
It remains that we have one of the highest sales taxes in the area.
It remains that our city council is still drinking the corporate tax giveaway koolaide.
The worst is the horror the city brought on itself with the infamous walmart tif. Check out the city's plan for redeveloping Downtown Raytown. It has a 353 tax abatement program that literally takes in ALL development in Downtown Raytown.
Apparently the mayor and his city council has not learned from past mistakes.
The answer to Raytown's problems is not in raising taxes on our homes, gasoline and internet sales. The answer is more responsible government with leaders who are not afraid to say NO to corporate tax giveaways.
Call up your Aldermen and ask them where they stand on this vital American tradition! Ask them why they are punishing your right to speak! Any Alderman that does not support public comments fancies themselves unaccountable to the citizenry. This is not Communist China, not yet anyway.
Sorry if listening to the people is such tough work that you feel the need to restrict free speech. This is about a few Aldermen that dislike public comments and have decided to throw their weight around.
Citizens for the Truth in Raytown
I will not support ANY new taxes till we have a creditable new board and Mayor. We need a Missouri audit of the present board and mayor.
Andy Whiteman
6:14 am
I tend to agree with 3 minutes as well.
Do what I used to do in school for speech class--write out your thoughts and time how long it takes to deliver them. Keep the salient points and trash the fluff.
McDonough was not in office then Sue was
Raytowna Beach Bum
@12:11 pm
The Aldermen should have the ability to listen for 5 minutes. If they cannot do this then retirement should be considered. This is about certain Aldermen that don’t like being challenged and taking criticism. This is a power grab. Our politicians should not be so thin skinned. There is a lot of concern about our City and rightly so. Criticism is part of the job, man up and take it, or get out of the way.
Concerned Citizen
Many posts are unreadable do to the manner they are written! I learned basic writing skills in Junior High and High School. How about the use of paragraphs?
May 16, 2018 at 1:10 PM, I liked what you had to say but it was a very difficult read. If I had turned in a composition like that in Junior High, it would have received an "F!"
I don't mean to be critical but if posters would use the skills they learned in Junior High, the posts would be easier to read.
Anony Mouse
I completely agree with you. However, I suggest you clean up your grammar before criticizing others. Case in point -
The post are unreadable due to (not do to)... You could also try using the punctuation you learned in Junior High. (BTW - most of us learned these skills in Elementary School. I'm not sure why you were so far behind.)
When I bought my home I paid $78,000 for the house and property. Today that same house and property is taxed on a value of $105,000. All of the taxing entities, including the city, receive more in taxes from me today than when I bought the house.
This is true for every business and home in Raytown.
Well, almost every property. There are some, like Walmart, Sutherland Lumber, HyVee, and any business property in downtown Raytown who pay much less than years ago. That is because the city gave them tax abatements.
Which, incidentally, raises the amount all those without tax abatements have to pay.
If the city council and mayor were honest about making a change from the mistakes of the past they would do away with the unfair tax abatement districts like they have in downtown Raytown.
I will be voting NO on doubling our property tax. I will not vote to add to my gasoline tax. Only a fool would vote to create what amounts to a 2% increase in sales tax on our internet purchases.
NO we shouldn't move on we need to look if any thing criminal happened or if any agreements that were made were actually legal.
If wrong doing was done people need to go to jail and funds repaid.
Yes I talking about the deal with the school district and the representation conflicts they had.
Anony Mouse
I agree with you 100% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If only a few others including Frank White would do the same.
want a city sponsored service. On second thought the city doe nothing right anyway.
Sutherland's also receives a property tax abatement on their property as well. That means they pay less than they normally would in property tax.
It is like the property tax abatement HyVee and Walmart gets. It is how the rich stay rich and the poor pay more in taxes.
Call city hall and check it out.
It is not the city's fault we are paying more taxes. The fault can be found with inflation. Most Raytown City taxes are inflation proof.
The Franchise Tax on Electricity and Natural Gas is 8%. If your electric bill goes up, so does the amount of tax you pay. Same can be said about all sales taxes.
It is especially true on property taxes. If you purchase a $30,000 or $40,000 car, your tax is going to be higher than someone who buys a less expensive car. Same is true for the house you live in.
But I think you know and understand all of this. You must be one of those folks who votes for a tax increase no matter how much it hurts individuals on fixed incomes.
You should really be more compassionate.
TO ---- Anonymous said... I am very perplexed by a question regarding the $20,000.00 that was given to the Truman Habitat organization that helps low income families fix up their property. When asked what they did with the money given them last year the answer was nothing. Really we the tax payers gave them our money when our city is in financial straights.. Now the city wants us to vote for a tax increase, I don't think so. I say cut off the money to Truman Hartland and use it when it is needed that would be in our city. This make me irate I don't know how anyone else feels but I think we deserve some answers. May 18, 2018 at 5:47 PM They did nothing with it because they didn't receive any. Listen to the video of the meeting and the whole conversation.
"The Citizens for Truth in Raytown" A Missouri Audit I say will say it all.
A few continue blaming the present BOA (a few new ones) continue showing the people the problems they are facing from the past 18 years or more and yet the mayor and the Raytown Unleash group keep throwing them under the bus. When they don't like what they (new BOA members)say, they either get kicked off committee's or shut down, called names and have even been defamed on social media.
What I'm tired of is they wo't say anything, but they know the truth.
I love that you said Mims grandstanding. What you don't like hearing the truth? or is it because of who it's coming from? I've followed this woman for many years and watch her make change, bring funding home for veterans, homeless and people with mental health issues.
I get angry because she continues to let people like yourself, beat up on her and she keeps working and not say a word. I even listened to one of the meetings and heard a board member flat out accused her of "some people are trying to further her political career." I even saw this on the Raytown Unleash (Out of Town Susan) say it, so we know the small crowd of people. Did anyone try to learn about her, know her credentials or welcome her into Raytown, NOPE, just beat the hell out of her.
This is embarrassing, especially to a trail blazer who came here to work. You know what I learned, she retired (3) times, and she still works in helping those in need to get their disability. WOW
Ms. Mims if you read this, please continue to work for the rest of us that need your knowledge and service.
Thank you. A Missouri Audit will say alot. Especially from 2000 to present.
So that's why the Raytown Unleash group started trashing someone.
A hand full of people complain about any and everything and yet don't like the outcome because its not what they want. The other 29 thousand residence aren't being punished,they are tired of Raytown being a spectacle in the media and on social media.
Who and what business would want to come here. Yes, we have some issues, but I watch other areas work on theirs, why can't we? ijs
I did ask my alderman and she said, "I don't care how long anyone speaks, that's their right,she takes notes so that she can make the best sound decision for her constituents." Didn't know her before, but I like her. Now beat her up on this.
Now a hand full of people are on facebook, sending e-mails to continue to complain. Get over yourselves.
So you are saying it’s ok to cut public comments from 5 to 3 minutes? How undemocratic.