Breaking News
ELECTION BOARD OFFICIALS CONDUCT RECOUNT
OF RAYTOWN NOVEMBER 8^TH ELECTION

Late Friday the Jackson County Election Board conducted recounts of the results from Question 1 and Question 2 General Election held on November 8^th.

“Results of the two elections were so close” . . . , an election authority said, . . "that the margin of victory/loss fell within one half of one percent between the NO  and YES votes in both elections”

Under Missouri State Statutes, such tight margins between yes and no votes require an automatic re-count of the election.

When the recounts were completed it was found that Question 1 received a total of four additional “yes” votes that had not been previously counted.

Question 2 received a total of three “no” votes that had not been previously counted.

A spokesperson for “Still Not the Time for this Tax” was pleased with the outcome of Question One which would have created $30 million dollars in bond indebtednesses for homeowners and business owners in Raytown.

“Our message was clear. Times of high inflation is NOT a good time to raise property taxes on homeowners and businesses.”

Question 2, which can only be used for storm sewer repair in Raytown, passed by the smallest of margins . . . the original vote count came to only a seven vote difference between yes and no votes.

Mayor Michael McDonough and Ward 5 Alderman Bonnaye Mims were on hand during the recount as representatives for the “yes” votes on both questions.

“Not the Time for this Tax” had three representatives in attendance at the recount. They were Jeanette Gentry, who lives in Ward 3. Also in attendance were the owners of Doughboy’s Donuts, Elisa and Marjaine Breitenbach. Elisa also serves as the Treasurer for “Not the Time for this Tax”.

At the end of the recount, both parties were informed that not enough “new” votes had been discovered by the Election Board Officials to change the outcome of Question One or Question Two.

However, “Recognition” of the returns as “official” will be determined November 22^nd when the Board of Election Commissioners will meet to review of all the elections held in Eastern Jackson County on November 8^th.  

BY GREG WALTERS

That sound you heard after the vote totals were announced in Raytown was a collective sigh of relief from taxpayers, Voters turned back a $30,000,000 million dollar bond package.

Voters did approve a more reasonable tax package. Question No. 2,  is dedicated to repair of storm water issues in Raytown. The price tag on Question 2 is set at $7,200,000 million dollars.

For those looking at the bottom line of annual tax payments, it was definitely the lesser of two evils.

If this were baseball . . .
AN ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEMBER 8^TH ELECTION RESULTS

The second election on whether or not to raise Raytown’s property taxes to historic levels is in the past.

If this were baseball, the standings would look like this:

NOT THE TIME FOR THIS TAX:              4 wins        1 loss
RAYTOWN CITY HALL                             1 win          4 losses

Just as in baseball, what should be a light-hearted give and take, known as banter, often develops in political campaigns.

Some supporters of the two property tax increases joined in the discussion.

Unfortunately, their “banter” was anything but light hearted. It would be fair to say what was shared was unkind, at times even hateful. It most certainly was not cute, funny or enlightening.

Those individuals seem to glory in insulting and demeaning anyone who does not agree with their point of view.

To their credit, the members of Not the Time for this Tax did not reduce themselves by responding in kind.

What’s Next?
The Raytown Report has learned City Hall has begun exploring the possibility of a re-count of the close election results on Question 1. 

No doubt City Hall is interested in challenging the results of the (failed) $30 million dollar Question One property tax increase. Question One lost by over 70 votes. It is doubtful a re-count will reverse the final decision of the voters on Question One.

Question Two is another issue. The tax passed by a margin of only seven votes. That translates to “swing” of only four votes to change the outcome of the election.

As someone who has participated in re-counts, I can share with you the Jackson County Election Board has a reputation of being extremely thorough in their original counts.

Years ago I lost an election by three votes. I challenged and received a re-count of the vote totals. The vote total changed one vote. Other than being interesting, it proved little. All it meant was that I lost by two votes instead of three votes.

Still, four votes out of a total of 8668 votes cast is within the realm of possibility for the vote totals of Question 2 to be reversed.

There is also a question as whether such a re-count is allowed by law in Missouri. All of the re-counts I am aware of have been between opposing candidates for political office.  

This is probably one issue that will have to be decided by the Jackson County Election Board before anyone in Raytown asks for a re-count.

Looking Forward . . .
There is an election date of February 7, 2023 in which City Hall could set another election. However, an election held on that date would require a 2/3rds majority for passage AND it must be the only item on the ballot.

It is very unlikely City Hall will take on those odds.

The Raytown School District has already announced it plans to hold a property tax “renewal” at the next City Election scheduled for April 4, 2023. If the proposed “renewal” fails, voters will see their property tax lowered. If it passes, the property tax will continue on at its current rate.

City Hall could place a third ballot question on the ballot at the next City Election scheduled for April 4, 2023. It would require a 4/7ths majority to pass. It is also when the Mayor and one-half of the Board of Aldermen will be up for re-election. It is doubtful the politicians up for re-election want to make over one-half of the electorate angry at them (those who vote NO).

A 3% Sales Tax on Recreational Marijuana will probably be on the April 4^th Agenda as well  City Hall attempted to put the issue on the November 8^th ballot but was informed by election officials they had to wait until the voters had their say on the issue.

The tax revenue generated on the sale of marijuana could be dedicated to the repair of streets in Raytown. It is a thought worthy of discussion.

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