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.
43 comments:
Unbelievable, from a person that talks about transparency. Here go some more taxpayers money right down the drain.
My answer on the taxes is still NO!! What part of this do you not understand!
I don't care how many times they put the taxes for a vote, the answer is still NO! I don't trust City Hall!
Premature and foolish, IMO. Raytown's "Revenue Enhancement" committee needs to circle back and focus on "reputation enhancement" prior to attempting to ramrod through another set of taxes.
When don't the politicians understand NO? Mayor Mike and his cronies, especially Ryan Myers, are not representing the will of the people. Believe it's time to make some changes in elected officials at city hall. Believe all these aldermen who vote to put this back on the ballot should have opposition in next springs elections. Please start looking for individuals to oust these irresponsible aldermen and mayor.
Roses are red violets are blue and so soon Mr Mayor will be too with another defeat and a costly surprise because you have no Raytown pride just self-serving your own desires and ways on others everyday.
"Unbelievable, from a person that talks about transparency."
True, that. Missouri's auditor's office recently also had some valid concerns about Raytown and their "transparency".
Amazing/not amazing how the City refuses to acknowledge that this issue and other operational concerns need to be addressed first before putting the taxes to another vote.
Instead, they're pouring all their energy into deflecting and blaming the "naysayers".
I'd say that "foolish" is an understatement.
You just keep doing you, Raytown admins. You'll eventually need to rename "oneraytown.com" to "oneanddoneraytown.com" at the rate you're going.
If they put the 3 back on the November's ballot, won't that be another 40K? Then so far the total will be 80K! That money would of fixed several potholes in our streets. Totally insane..........
Want to be there hostage by your elected officials.
Move to Raytown where the Mayor and Majority of the board will hold you hostage and beat you down until you vote as they want.
There is no freedom under Mayor Mike's rule.
That only accounts for the money spent on the campaign not the fee the election board charges.
It is time we ask the state of MO to allow 4th class city's the right for recall elections.
Talk to your friends and neighbors about this craziness! Register to vote by October 12th.
https://jcebmo.org/voter-information/registration/
The GO bonds received 51% of the vote.
When is enough, enough? The people of Raytown deserve better. America deserves better. People may not want to talk or to be involved with politics, but it truly affects our lives from before our birth and even after we die. Our families and businesses are hurting. The mayor, Michael McDonough, may not see it or even understand it. That is how most politicians are, but the people of Raytown are strong. They know how to fight and fight Hard. I have faith in them standing strong, with one another, to weather this very dark storm all of us have been tossed into. God Bless The Raytown Report and Greg Walters for getting these stories out for us.
Sincerely,
Elisa Breitenbach
Raytown Newbie here.
Let's remember the voters did say yes to two of the tax ideas. The winning margin was not the required majority, however. That is exactly why the mayor is coming back to try again. Those of us who are opposed to the new taxes must get out the vote to turn back this continued assault on our financial wellbeing.
Thank you for reading this,
RN
Mayor is pushing his agenda on Facebook again and his band of thief are spreading lies that the bonds fund collection is only on real property.
If these sheep cannot get it is both real (homes/businesses) and personal (vehicles, boats, motorcycles and rv) , what else will they get wrong.
One thing will be the interest on the bonds, which will keep increase based on the Feds notices already been made this year.
WAIT there is more the news as already reported personal property is going to jump this year because of used car prices.
Let me rock you world for another miss guided moment the amount on both real and personal is not a fixed amount. It is a percentage and applied to the assessment of your property.
Seat down for this one because assessments will be going up and therefore so will the impact to your paycheck.
If only the Mayor was as honest!
Perhaps the problem is at the top, you can replace the Aldermen but the Mayor needs to run this town like a business. His high paid "professional" staff need to b e finding solutions, instead of relying on taxpayers. We are taxed ENOUGH. Perhaps the Mayor will have an opponent.
I have a friend who ran for the city council a number elections ago. She lost by three votes. They had a recount. The three fold held. No one called for a "second" election. She knew the terms of the election and how much it would take to win.
It is that simple. The election is over. The "yes" side obviously out-spent the "no" side by a lot of money. Over $20,000 of which was taxpayer money to educate us. Still they lost. They should accept it and move on. I hear the Mayor has told the Chamber of Commerce he will keeping putting these taxes on the ballot until they pass.
He will not listen. It is definitely time for him to go. If you know anyone who wants the Mayor's job please encourage them to do so.
"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.
They needed 57%.
The law is simple and clear.
Unlike our Mayor.
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.
Being controlling, loud, consistently demanding the upper hand or last word in every and all given situations, interpersonally, or over a group, is indicative of at least one, or even a combination of two or three distinct personality pathologies. These tendencies imbed in early childhood from very real damage that was inflicted in the home or elsewhere. They accompany one throughout adulthood. These "tendencies" (avoiding the word "pathologies" here) are so deeply ingrained that they manifest as an autonomic response - there's no thought pattern whatsoever. It's difficult to impossible for the "host" to resolve these feelings, even when they have been repeatedly apprised of their behavior. It's not because they don't comprehend. It's because they're wholly incapable of controlling how they respond when they perceive that they've lost control over a situation, an individual, or a group.
The people that aren't actually acquainted with other individuals with this set of symptomatologies (i.e. association via social media or brief, in-person contact) tend to take these people at their word, believing that their judgment is sound, and their opinions valid.
-Stop-.
Use your instincts. Look at who actually is working for the citizens of this community. Quietly, diligently, despite all the volleys thrown their direction.
I'm so proud of a few of our Aldermen, including the moderator of this blog. Don't give up. Keep going.
We've reached a critical juncture. Have you not grown weary of the controlling behavior, the loud, unproductive voices, the constant attempts at manipulation?
Let's replace those that do not have the best interests of this community in their hearts.
A. "Being controlling, loud, consistently demanding the upper hand or last word in every and all given situations, interpersonally, or over a group, is indicative...."
B. "The people that aren't actually acquainted with other individuals with this set of symptomatologies (i.e. association via social media or brief, in-person contact) tend to take these people at their word, believing that their judgment is sound, and their opinions valid."
Bingo, Part A, and bingo Part B.
You're speaking of the young man who expressed an interest in a career and training so many years are you not?
We can attest they butted into matters time and time again that were none of their concern. They attempted to control situations that again, we're none of their concern. It was annoying and it should have been addressed. While I don't necessarily agree about childhood damage, I will tell you that those characteristics are an undesirable trait, and in this case it has has been sustained behavior.
I do recommend that the citizens sit down in person with the people that are consistently targeted in these increasingly libelous and irresponsible social media attacks. Draw your own conclusions. I think that you will be pleasantly surprised. Don't rely on the uninformed and malicious behaviors of the static 5, 8 characters that dominate those Facebook boards.
This is why I for the most part have always avoided social media altogether.
Whoelse believes those old Lite Brite toys are easier and clearly cheaper than thesign at city hall.
Keep this in mind when the city ask for your support for a tax (bond) increase.
Where are the list of competitors bids
Where is the transparency
It why our elected officials don't want questions as they know their actions are not only questionable but criminal.
Very sad to see that our Mayor is acting more like a bully than a Mayor. He should lead by example not berate and belittle people with an opinion other than his. He needs to learn to take the high road, instead he is acting like two of his predecessors Bower and Nesbitt, and we know what happened to them. Keep it up Mayor Mike
I have lived in Raytown for most of my adult life. I have never witnessed the arrogance and disrespect for the well of the voters. Common courtesy would provide for you to wait at least one year before coming for our wallets again. From what I have seen of the conduct of the PRO TAX side of the argument I am not at all surprised at what city hall is trying to do to us.
Captain McDonough and his ship of fools have raided our treasury and now want us to reward his piracy with more taxes. In his swashbuckling manner he pushed 3 taxes at once and got the inevitable NO answer from taxpayers. Who, in fact, are trying to make ends meet while facing unrelenting inflation that is projected to last for another 10 years.
Without an attempt to tighten the cities belt buckle or explanation Ol' Buccaneer Captain McDonough sets sail again to raid his subjects pocket books. That's right immediately after hearing from the citizens, he ignores their voice and will on the matter. He reposts the same taxes to be voted on just a few months down the road.
I wonder if the taxpayers will show their disapproval of his bullying and misuse of public funds by communicating to the unabashed tax pirate Captain McDonough that NO MEANS NO.
Old McDonough’s tribute farm
Old McDonough covets more tax We all said hell no And with this tax he’s wont to blow We all said hell no With a tax tax here and a tax tax there Here a tax there a tax everywhere a tax tax We must all say no
Old McDonough wants more dough We all said hell no And for this tax his own slush bowl We all said hell no With a slush fund here and a slush fund there Here a fund there a fund Everywhere a slush fund We must all say no
Old McDonough wants more toll We all said hell no And with our votes he’s way to brash We all said hell no With a tax vote here and a tax vote there Here a tax there a tax Everywhere a tax vote We must all say no
LET'S TALK NUMBERS:
I am not sure that everyone is grasping what a 24.5% on our cars means to many people. Our family owns two cars. Here is an example.
I own two cars. One is a 2018 model. One is a 2019 model. They fall under the Personal Property Tax we all pay.
In 2020 I paid $1,188.90 in Personal Property Tax for those two cars.
In 2022 I will pay an additional $291.28 in Personal Property tax for those same cars!
If the two bond issues are approved by voters the Bond Agreement signed by the City stipulates that 85% of the bonds are to be committed within three years.
Hide your wallets and purses. Because these people are coming for your money!
Concise, factual, common-sense and well-written. As always.
What say you, "YES" people?
Thank goodness that those draconian taxes didn't pass the first time around, and even more of reason for them to fail even more dramatically a second time.
"If the bond revenue falls short because of inflation, or even worse, a recession, the ballot language clearly states the City can increase taxes above their projections without additional voter approval by the taxpayers.
....................
At the August 16th City Council meeting city staff reported that Raytown will be the recipient of windfall profit due to inflation indexing by Jackson County of personal property tax values.
More clearly stated, the value of your used cars has been increased by 24.5% by Jackson County. This results in a windfall of $1,216,625 (million dollars) in tax revenue for Raytown City Hall. Raytown Parks and Recreation will receive an additional $606,973 (thousand dollars) this year as well.
To be clear, the 24.5% increase in personal property tax on used cars will be paid by the car owners. The windfall tax will go to the City of Raytown. This will also inflate tax dollars paid to the School District, Library, Blind Pension Fund, and all other groups funded by tax levies.
This was not news to City Hall. Discussion with Jackson County had been going on for months.
Why did City Hall not bring this up during the campaign? These higher tax rates on cars will hit homeowners and renters household budgets very hard this year."
"To be clear, the 24.5% increase in personal property tax on used cars will be paid by the car owners. The windfall tax will go to the City of Raytown...This was not news to City Hall. Discussion with Jackson County had been going on for months...Why did City Hall not bring this up during the campaign?"
WTG, Alderman W! Distribute. Disseminate.
ONE MILLION, TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. (For starters.)
And what was someone saying about the citizens having trust issues with City Hall?
Who else saw channel 9 news story tonight about taxpayers of Johnson County KS.
It was about the citizens out raged because of taxes and the mil leave.
I am sure our great minds at city hall will claim this has nothing to do with Raytown.
Those of us who are free thinkers and actually understand how things work realize that if those same great minds at city hall get their way on their over priced bonds it will be our city hall over pack with agree people next year when properties are re-assessed and tax bills hit.
We need to pay attention to our neighbors even when in a different state and use their mishappenings as learning opportunities to protect our community from greedy, foolish and uneducated elected officials who don't care if they force us out a home.
I am Catholic and sent several donations to KS for "Yes" on 2.
I was not happy with the results as their laws are against my beliefs, but I accepted them.
I am embarrassed more that a few wouldn't accept the vote of the people than KS doesn't care about babies.
Now we have our Mayor and the board not accepting the vote of the people.
I agreed on August 2nd and voted "yes" to fix our streets, but I don't believe in not accepting the vote of the people.
I now not only am a "no" vote I am now telling my neighbors and friends to vote "no" as the mayor needs to accept the August vote.
"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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