FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE FOLLOWING IS A FREE EVENT SPONSORED BY JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI

Community Meeting with
Jackson County Assessor's Office
Homeowners can learn about the Assessment Appeal Process
 and reasons why a homeowner might apply
to Appeal their County Property Tax Assessment

Tuesday, August 9, 2022
FROM
5:30 to 7:00 PM
AT
Raytown Emergency Assistance Program Building
9300 East 350 Highway

Election Results / August, 2022 Primary

(winners are in red)

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEEMAN - BROOKING TOWNSHIP (vote for two)

Jerome Barnes            2196 votes               53.21%

Michael Downing        1008 votes                24.42%

Ryan Myers                  886  votes                21.40%

DEMOCRAT COMMITTEEWOMAN - BROOKING TOWNSHIP (vote for two)

Donna Barnes              1727 votes               42.86%

Kimberly Clause          1325 votes               32.98%

Bonnaye V. Mims         951   votes               23.60% 

                       

CITY OF RAYTOWN, QUESTION 1    57% majority required for approval / winner in red

YES                    2,588                51.61%

NO                      2,427                48.39%

CITY OF RAYTOWN, QUESTION 2    57% majority required for approval / winner in red

YES                    2,570                51.28%

NO                      2,427                48.72%

CITY OF RAYTOWN, QUESTION 3    Simple majority required for approval.  

YES                    1,802                35.96%

NO                      3,209                64.04%

                               

Please remember to vote Tuesday. Whether Raytown can be an affordable city in which to live is in the balance.

Your vote may make the difference.

TO OUR READERS:

We had given some thought to making endorsements of the various races Raytown voters will be deciding on Tuesday. August 2^nd. After much discussion we decided the candidates have had time to make their case to the voters.

So let the voters decide.

We feel the same way about what is undoubtedly the hottest issue before Raytown voters this election. That would be the three property tax increases voters will decide next Tuesday.

We have done our best to help define the proposed tax increases as to its effect on Raytown taxpayers.

For its part, City Hall spent more than $20,000 of the taxpayer’s money to “educate” voters on the three taxes.

With this one caveat, whatever ballot use choose, be it Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution, or Independent, remember this . . . the three property tax issues will be the last item on any one of those ballots.  

Once again, it is time to let the voters decide.

The only exception we are making has to do with the County Committee races. These unpaid positions are the building blocks of our political system. 

There are four political parties recognized by the State of Missouri in these contests. Only two have candidates filed to fill the posts. That is the Democrat and Republican races. The Republican race only has three candidates filed. All three of them will win their uncontested races.

The Democratic Ballot is a different story. There are six candidates filed for four positions. The outcome of this election will have an impact on the direction of the local party apparatus in Raytown.

So without further ado. Here are our choices for Democratic Committee in Brooking Township (Raytown).

For Brooking Township Committeeman
Jerome Barnes

For Brooking Township Committeewomen (vote for two)
Kimberly Clause
Donna Barnes

Look for the results of the local Raytown races

on the Raytown Report after the counting

is done late Tuesday night.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BY GREG WALTERS

Next Tuesday voters will cast votes in the State Primary Election. 

The last item on your ballot are three proposed property tax increases on whether or not the City of Raytown of Raytown should issue General Obligation bonds totaling $53.2 million dollars for the reconstruction of streets and storm sewers. The tax package before the voter also has a proposed .30 cent increase for the City of Raytown's property tax levy.

Where to start?
How about some good old fair analysis as to where Raytown stands in the metropolitan area when comparing current property tax rates? The following chart compares how much taxpayers pay in property taxes in five area communities surrounding Raytown. All five of the cities listed have varying rates on the property tax rates. To keep things equal, we opted to use the lowest property tax levy in each community/city.

Since property taxes are based on a combination of rates from governmental bodies, we used the cumulative amount for comparison purposes. The communities are ranked - one through five - with the highest property tax rate being number one. The lowest property tax being number 6.

RANKING                       CITY                       PROPERTY TAX RATE
      1                          RAYTOWN                                8.6270%
      2                          KANSAS CITY                          8.3163%
      3                          LEE'S SUMMIT                         8.1930%
      4                          GRANDVIEW                            8.1300%   
      5                          BLUE SPRINGS                        8.041%
      6                          INDEPENDENCE                      7.649%      

So much for the myth that Raytown is a low property tax city. 

The only real conclusion to draw from these numbers is the Raytown governmental structure is not as efficient as other area communities.

DATA SOURCE: Jackson County Real Estate Tax Levy Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT NEXT TUESDAY'S THREE PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS

  What are General Obligation Bonds?

General Obligation Bonds, also known as "GO Bonds" are often used by cities to finance large construction projects. Essentially, the City takes out a loan against your property. The bonds are paid back over time through what is collected on your Property Taxes. The first two questions on the Raytown portion of the ballot are for the creation of General Obligation Bonds totaling $53.2 Million Dollars in debt to repair Raytown streets and storm sewer. 

These proposed bonds have a unique feature. The ballot language allows City Hall to increase your property taxes to satisfy the debt without a vote of the people.

OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE

LAST SENTENCE OF BALLOT QUESTIONS 1 AND 2

The authorization of the bonds will authorize the City to maintain tangible property tax rates sufficient to pay the interest and principal on the bonds until fully paid.

Have other cities issued bonds recently?
Grandview asked for $12.4 million for transportation in 2022.
Raymore asked for $23.5 million for streets AND parks in 2022.
Belton asked for $21 million for transportation in 2022.

In all three cities, citizens were actively engaged. The local governments wanted to hear what the people had to say. This allowed civic leaders in Grandview, Raymore and Belton to package “affordable bonds” that would not tax people out of their homes. Grandview, Raymore and Belton bonds have a life ranging from 5 to 15 years. Those three cities provided very specific information about how the money would be spent.

Raytown is asking for $53.2 Million Dollars.
Raytown City Hall has avoided citizen input. 
Raytown’s GO Bonds debt has a life spanning up to 29 years.
City Hall rushed these tax proposals to the ballot in one week.
City Hall has provided vague maps.
City Hall cannot tell citizens how many miles of asphalt $46 million will buy. For that matter, where all the improvements will be.

Will these taxes increase my mortgage payment?
YES. Mortgage companies collect your property taxes and insurance into an escrow account and add the cost to your monthly payments. Often those companies will collect 14 months of those costs so they have a buffer, expecting taxes and insurance to go up the next year. 

The following chart shows how much renters, private homeowners, and property managers can expect taxes to increase over the next seven years.

If Questions 1, 2 and 3 Pass Together    SOURCE: raytownone.com

                                   YEAR 1        YEAR 2        YEAR 3       YEAR 4       YEAR 5      YEAR 6       YEAR 7

% Increase of tax bill       5.30%      5.30%     7.42%      7.42%     9.53%    9.53%   11.65%

I do not own my home. Will these taxes increase my rent?

YES. Your rent will likely go up. Your landlord or apartment manager will have to raise the cost of your rent to pay the increased property taxes.  

I live on a fixed income. What happens if I cannot pay my taxes?
If you do not pay your property taxes on time for three years Jackson County will take possession of your home in payment for the unpaid tax bills. Your property will then be sold on the Courthouse steps to pay for the unpaid taxes. If you must pay your taxes late you will incur extra charges and fees.

Before you cast your vote next Tuesday, consider the following:

• City Hall fined $42,500 for Sunshine Law Violations.    

• City Hall purchases a $40,000 electronic sign most cannot read.

• Missouri State Auditor gives Raytown a “Fair” Grade. Notes lack of transparency.

• City Hall pays over $35,000 to pay for a “Special Election” to create a 2% Use Tax for internet sales. 

• City Hall pays $21,000 of taxpayer money to purchase a Brand to “educate” the voters.  

Question 3 is controversial

Question Three does not have any restriction on how tax dollars would be spent. The money would go into the General Fund. City Hall could use that money without any guidance or restrictions. 

It is also the one tax that will increase in cost each year, particularly in times of high inflation.

It is bothersome that area cities like Grandview, Belton and Raymore can do so much with fewer taxpayer dollars.

It is also troubling there does not seem to be much concern for those who live in Raytown on limited or fixed incomes. Given the state of the American economy, they are most at risk with the high taxation that will follow if these three proposals pass.

It is clear, the high dollar amount of these proposals does not bother some in the least.

It should.

Please remember to vote next Tuesday. Whether Raytown can be an affordable city is in the balance. Your vote may make the difference.

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