Jackson County and the City of Raytown will be distributing 1,000 packets of 10 face masks on Wednesday afternoon, July 29th. This event is free to Raytown citizens.
The masks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Simply drive up in your car and receive your free masks. Limit of one package of ten masks per vehicle.
WHEN: WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020
WHERE: Connection Point Church
10500 East Highway 350
TIME: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
HOW: Drive thru
HOW: Drive thru
Masks donated by Governor Michael Parsons Office through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
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| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
“Taxes Paid Statement”
REQUIRED ON COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT
APPLICATION FORMS
APPLICATION FORMS
All
elected officials, the Mayor, Board Members and the Municipal Judge in Raytown
are required to have their tax obligations paid in full before their name is
placed on a ballot for election. This is a state law. There have been instances in Raytown where candidates were removed from a ballot because their taxes were not paid up to date.
At its last meeting Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters brought forth a discussion to require applicants for Boards, Committees and Commissions to have the same requirement as do elected officials to be considered for their office.
One of the
responsibilities of the Raytown Board of Aldermen is to vote approval of
appointments to City Boards and Commissions. Typically, the Mayor nominates a
candidate. The Board then votes to either approve or disapprove the appointment.
Committee
seats affected by the proposal would be any positions requiring Board approval for appointment. Examples would be the Jackson County Board of
Equalization, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Planning and Zoning Commission
and the Raytown Park Board.
Each of
these Committee/Boards plays an important part of studying and recommending
decisions to the Board of Aldermen. For instance the Park Board has the power
to propose tax increases. But they cannot do so without Board approval. The
same can be said of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which studies and
recommends all matters involving zoning of commercial and residential
property. There authority is to study issues and recommend approval or disapproval of zoning issues before the Board.
Raytown
is not the only governing body in the metropolitan area to require up to date payment of taxes of nominees for appointment. Kansas City, Missouri requires applicants to have their taxes paid up to date for appointment to a city committee. Jackson County requires it of certain committees, especially those dealing with
property tax valuation.
In point of fact, the Board of Aldermen approved the appointment of Wendy McDermott to the Jackson County Board of Equalization later that same evening. Raytown makes the appointment . . . but the County requires the appointee have all taxes paid in full to serve on the Board of Equalization.
In point of fact, the Board of Aldermen approved the appointment of Wendy McDermott to the Jackson County Board of Equalization later that same evening. Raytown makes the appointment . . . but the County requires the appointee have all taxes paid in full to serve on the Board of Equalization.
An Acceptable Compromise . . .
Some
lively discussion and clarification of the need to raise the bar for applicants
to City appointed Boards and Commissions followed.
Ward 4
Alderman Mary Jane VanBuskirk made a motion directing City Administrator Damon Hodges to add a question specifically asking if taxes were paid in full by the applicant for a committee assignment. Ward 5 Alderman Bonnaye Mims provided a second to the motion.
The
vote was called and the bill passed unanimously by a vote of 7 yes to 0 no.
(three Board members were absent from the meeting)
Walters
told the Raytown Report he was pleased with the outcome.
“I
would have preferred an ordinance to give the requirement the weight of law,
but I believe Mrs. VanBuskirk's motion will fulfill the purpose
of adding transparency and an understanding of what is expected of applicants,” said Walters.
Crime and Police
Overview Activity
USE THIS LINK TO COMMENT . . . comments
HOW THEY VOTED:
YES:* Greg Walters, Mary Jane VanBuskirk,
Bonnaye Mims,
Bill VanBuskirk, Jason Greene, Frank Hunt,
Janet Emerson
ABSENT: Ryan Myers, Derek Ward, Jim Aziere
* Approval was unanimous. There were not any "no" votes.
Crime and Police
On July 25th, 2020 at approximately 3:14 P.M., Raytown
Police were called to the 11200 block of Lakeview Drive, in regard to a
shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located one adult male and one adult
female, with apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to an area hospital with serious
injuries. Officers located the suspect, an adult aged female known to both
victims, walking away from the residence on foot. The suspect was taken into
custody without incident. An investigation of the incident is underway.
On
July 17th, at approx. 8:25 pm, officers were dispatched to the 10200 block of
55th Street on shots fired. The victim reported that he had been standing
outside talking to a neighbor when a car passed by and the passenger fired
several shots at them. No one was injured and the suspects fled the scene
before officers arrived. The investigation is ongoing.
Overnight from July 16th to July 17th ,
construction trailers at two school district locations were burglarized and
tools were stolen. The investigation is ongoing.
11 comments:
A better idea. Call your city councilman. Their names, phone numbers and email addresses are on the city website home page under ELECTED OFFICIALS. I know my councilman always returns his calls and follows up.
Or, if you do not trust your councilman to get the job done, call the city administrator. his phone number is on the same website. Front page under appointed officials.
Or, call the city's main line, 737-6000. Wait for the 8 part phone tree to be explained to you and then punch "8" for administration. They will direct you to whoever you want to speak to. They will even contact your councilman for you to call you back.
I watched the last meeting. What part did you guys discuss taxes for volunteers?
I don't see why it is an issue to have the taxes paid. I think pretty much everyone pays them because if not they'll take your house.
Plus, the mayor would never nominate someone who isn't paid in full. This was a waste of time.
TRUTH WATCH: Your house will not be "taken" if you do not pay property taxes in a timely manner. The value of property is re-assessed every two years in Jackson County. There are a lot of people who do not pay their property taxes until their car license plates are due. Has the mayor ever nominated somone who isn't paid in full. I don't know. But I do remember one well known politician was removed from the ballot for not paying his taxes on time.
I think it is a good idea to make sure people who can suggest raising our taxes like the park board did a year ago should have to have ALL their taxes paid in full. These politicians should have to follow the same rules we do as taxpayers.
It is not what you call a waste of time. It is good idea. Its time has come.
Beyond the scope of the Board or Committee applicant having their taxes paid which has merit, there is a larger and looming issue prevelant and Alderman MJ Vanbuskirk correctly surfaced it once again.
The "range" of NEW and fresh applicants for the boards NEEDS to expand. This is not a new topic and need, but I'm glad it was highlighted once again. Far too many of the same people are serving exstensive terms. While this is noble and needed many if given the opportunity with a viable replacement would step aside and let new residents fill the slot. This injects fresh and vibrant energy and new found focus and analysis to the varying boards needs.
If perhaps this applicant is fairly youthful is another bonus in that they might be an advocate for their circle of friends who may be looking for a community to bring their family to. So many positive assests to recruiting NEW PEOPLE into the important functions these volunteer boards and committees serve and assist the leadership group for our city.
PLEASE as our Mayor continues to plead consider applying to help serve our city. I guarantee you will feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment in knowing you are a part of an important partnership in assisting your fellow residents in much needed guidance and leadership.
The park board did not raise your taxes. You voted to keep the existing sales tax at the same rate it’s been for 10 years.
TRUTH WATCH: Misleading information in the last comment. The Park Sales tax had a sunset clause. The Sunset Clause means the tax had a definite "end" date. The Park Board brought a NEW tax to replace the one that was expiring. An interesting footnote. The Park Board originally wanted to DOUBLE the sales tax. The Board of Aldermen told the Park Board NO.
There is a lesson here. Get your facts straight before you spout off nonsense about a continuation of a tax.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Early this week a reader asked for a link to view the Committee of the Whole meeting held by Mayor Michael McDonough last Tuesday evening. The portion of the meeting asked about had to do with Requirements for Appointments to citizen boards such as the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), the Raytown Park Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
We have added a link to our front page which will connect readers to the meeting.
Go to the second half of the meeting, beginning at the 25:30 time mark on the screen.
Raytown Report Editor
I think the number of people flying their flags are those who are worried by the crazy protests turning into riots on the east and west coasts. They support an America that has true value and goals. Good for them. Keep flying those flags!
I thought this was the RAYTOWN Report. Why are there comments about events 1,200 miles away? It doesn’t directly affect Raytown.
You mean the increase of people flying American flags in Raytown should not be heralded as a good thing? I would have to disagree. Some of those folks on the East and West coasts (and even some cities in between) seem more interested in burning American flags. I think it is a good thing more flags are being flown in Raytown. They burn their American flags. We proudly fly them.
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