McDonough calls for second property tax election
On August 2, 2022, the voters of Raytown, Missouri
rejected three property tax increases.
On Monday of this week Mayor Michael McDonough released
an amended agenda that includes another election to be held on Tuesday,
November 8, 2022. The purpose of this new election is to re-vote the two
property tax bond elections that failed to pass on August 2nd.
Missouri State Statutes require all proposed ordinance be
read in public session prior to a vote being held on all ordinances coming before
the Board of Aldermen.
The two meetings are open to the public.
Our View:
The Mayor is attempting a slight of hand to re-hold an election held on August 2, 2022 in which he lost three property tax proposals.
Let us be clear on this. What he is doing is technically legal provided the majority of he Board of Aldermen approve of his shenanigans.
In reality, it is a slap in the face of the public who
turned out in record numbers to defeat the three property tax increases on
August 2nd.
As with all campaigns, there were two sides to the yes
and no votes. Both sides ran very effective campaigns in bringing their
argument(s) to the public.
Just like in Baseball, only one team can win.
There is no valid reason to re-hold this election. It
begs the question, “If his proposal to raise property taxes fails again, will
the Mayor call for a third election?
Also on the agenda this evening is a proposal to create a three cent sales tax on the sale of marijuana in Raytown.
15 comments:
Talk to your friends and neighbors about this craziness! Register to vote by October 12th.
https://jcebmo.org/voter-information/registration/
"His high paid "professional" staff need to be finding solutions, instead of relying on taxpayers. Perhaps the Mayor will have an opponent."
OMG thank you. Just look at where voter apathy has led us to.
Surely there is ONE qualified mayoral candidate out there.
Please step up. PLEASE.
Please watch the "citizens comments" from the last BOA meeting (08/16/2022). It's one of the most pathetic displays that I have witnessed in quite some time. I'm shaken, saddened and disgusted.
And stunned at how some aldermen sitting at the dais are scrupulously protected from being named and/or criticized in an open forum (is there not an existing policy against this?), yet, at other times, it's open season on a select member, especially when "the moderator" holds a long-standing grudge and just can't let go.
"Rules For Thee But Not For Me" should be emblazoned directly above the entrance to Raytown City Hall. In fancy bold medieval gothic script, which should complement the (for the most part) unnecessary IMO 900K(?) City Hall upgrades.
Other municipalities are watching. And laughing, relieved that it isn't them.
And NO, Mr. J.C.
As you sit on your deck pondering the future of Raytown aloud on Raytown Unglued, NO, the blog owner didn't write this.
We just need ONE qualified citizen to stand up. As one very successful business owner, you will have my full financial support.
And I won't be alone, I promise.
I got a call last night from someone who was at a meeting where the Mayor's agenda for taxing Raytown became a hot topic.
The amazing thing was how the Mayor's spokesman and group with him didn't like being shut down about speaking.
From what I've heard this is what the Mayor's following has done to anyone who has had questions at meetings about these same taxes.
I am glad someone is showing the Mayor what comes around goes around.
Maybe him and his following will learn something about respect but some people are just born with hate and a belief they are entitled making it something they will never change about themselves.
Which should complement the (for the most part) unnecessary IMO 900K(?) City Hall upgrades."
Now that you mention it, we did observe the interior decor updates in council chambers. How much did the cosmetic updates up there cost us? How many roads could that money have repaired?
Looking at winners and losses one cannot forget the 2020 State Senate race in district 9.
Not only did the home town little boy loss, he got less votes than the Republican candidate.
More surprising is he couldn't even get more votes in Raytown than his opponent.
His time is up and Raytown needs to be done with him and his entitled attitude.
Mary Jane VanBuskirt the people spoke they didn't want the bonds.
Why do you and the party you belong to force your will on everyone?
Do we not belong in a democracy or do you and the rest of Trump supporters want us to become the next Russia.
This brings up the question of where were you and your husband on January 6th 2021.
You claim to be a good Christian but want pot smoking as long as the city can profit off it is embarrassing and an insult to true good God fearing Christians.
"Looking at winners and losses one cannot forget the 2020 State Senate race in district 9. Not only did the home town little boy loss, he got less votes than the Republican candidate."
Yeah, he got thumped big time. Epicly.
Another commentator mentioned the home boy's photo with the downtown KC skyline. We believe that they were alluding that Home Boy may continue to have expansive career political plans far above and beyond Raytown.
Noticed that he's been overtly, far more "participatory" of late, quite the dynamo, one busy bee.
Which is all well and fine. In all seriousness, we wish him every success. We all have aspirations and should support one another.
He is NOT, however, going to build his political future on the backs of Raytown citizens by taxing them into oblivion.
Home Boy could create a permanent, successful political legacy by slowing down and coming up with more viable, alternative solutions for the City, as well as showing far more consideration towards the citizens of this community, IOO.
Mary Jane VanBuskirt the people spoke they didn't want the bonds.
Why do you and the party you belong to force your will on everyone?
Always liked MJ and probably always will. She's been lauded many times from her common-sense approach. It's easy to ride on the wave of that kind of approval, but she needs to loosen up a bit with all that, soften up a bit and put more effort into understanding the viewpoints of others, Otherwise, she risks being seen as somewhat of a caricature, which lessens her effectiveness in her role.
When does the current Mayor's term run out?
Mayor Mike's claim to fame is his years as a police officer.
Clearly he believes the best way to lead is to force himself on the citizens.
We vote and the answer was NO.
Learn to respect the vote.
Learn to respect others.
Has the "Rock" woman from Independence ever moved back to Raytown.
I ask as she keeps embarrassing herself and those of us in Independence from all her foolish and unfactual statements on Unleashed.
It is so strange to read comments from people who lost an election trying to strut around like they actually won an election. They do not seem to get the message. People in Raytown do not trust their local government. They see mismanagement and money wasted on expensive doodads like electronic signs that only face one way on a three way intersection (for $40,000!)
Too many meetings where the city will not allow public participation or even take questions from the public. And the wonder why the votes turned down their massive tax hikes?!?
I watched the Board meeting last week. Here is what we have to look forward to. Sanitary Sewer bills going up 7%. Jackson County reassessment predicting at 25% increase on personal property tax. That's our cars people! The new ones are not being delivered to the dealers, so the used ones become more expensive. That 25% in value means the cars will be taxed at a higher value (by 25%) over what they were valued at a year ago!
Spare me the double talk of claiming a tax has not been raised in 10 years yet I am still paying a lot more than I did ten years ago.
Bring requests on street repairs down to a reasonable level and I will consider it. What city hall is offering us is ridiculously over-priced and unacceptable.
"When does the current Mayor's term run out?"
McDonough was elected in 2019, according to the city's website.
Four year term, correct?
It's time for a change.
Batter up.
"I actually believe that he doesn't understand anything, which is not only why he is unable to take questions."
I believe that his equally vocal compadre had even far less of a clue.
He was asked multiple specific questions about the taxes online over an extended period of time from the citizens. His one and only reply? It was concerningly mechanistic: "Go to oneraytown.com'.
" Go to oneraytown.com."
"Go to oneraytown.com."
"Go to oneraytown.com."
Problem was, there really wasn't any material on that website that even remotely addressed the citizen's specific question, if I recall correctly.
I don't think that this individual was directing anyone to that website because they were too inconvenienced to answer individual questions. I believe that if they knew the answers, they wouldn't have had any problem whatsoever taking the time to respond to each query. Instead, it was quite obvious, at least to me, that they *couldn't* answer because it was likely that they didn't fully comprehend the material.
And hopefully the citizens picked up on the disturbing dearth of of content and almost complete lack of a cogent argument on that poorly-executed "oneraytown.com" website. If that website was indicative of the city's level of project management skills, everyone needs to run straight for the hills.
(A grossly oversized, smiling rendering of a red import with a barely legible "oneraytown.com" on the bumper? Are you kidding me? )
And! Apparently those who manage the city weren't even capable of producing even so much as a basic online argument and website themselves, am I correct?! They actually PAID someone to do the work FOR them....and look at the results! (Actually, you can't, because they pulled the plug on the original content.) Someone actually must have said "This looks GREAT! Write the check!"
"I need money, because stuff, it be falling apart..."
Really?
I don't care if the City is asking for a "reduced number" -this- time around. The fact is is that they have demonstrated, through their words and actions, that they don't care, won't listen, and if they do succeed in getting their hands on a big cash payout, any results will likely be mismanaged, in my opinion. I'm not implying that anyone is dishonest, rather that they're grossly inexperienced and/or borderline incapable, in my opinion.
And I shudder when I realize that the citizens and businesses would have been and potentially still will be responsible for paying back potentially poorly or inadequately-distributed money for years to come.
As so many others that have come before me have already said:
"PAY ATTENTION!"
You don't need anyone else's opinion.
Examine what is in front of you. Look at what *isn't* there.
This city can continue to catastrophize and to forecast doom and gloom all they wish, however most of us will not be swayed.
City, provide us with a SPECIFIC list of your needed projects. Rank them by priority.
One by one, let's knock a few of them down. Perform. Let's see what you're truly capable of first.
Mr. McDonough we voted no. Have you no decency? You are forcing me and those aware of your arrogance to vote no again.
Mr. McDonough how do you have the unmitigated disrespect for Raytown homeowner's to ask for a second time to raise our real estate tax when we are being drained dry by sky rocketing food, gas, County arbitrary tax increases, relentless inflation and now I have to pay off the student loan of someone else kid that majored in Cultural Studies.
Mr. McDonough are you utterly tone deft to the struggles to make ends meet that your citizens are facing now?
You deserve a NO vote for no other reason but to teach you some manners when you continue to bully and ignore us.
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