IN THIS WEEK'S RAYTOWN REPORT . . . 

• Up-to-Date Filing for public office
• The taxman is here! BY PAUL LIVIUS
• 3% Sales Tax Considered on Recreational Marijuana Sales
• Raytown School District to ask for Renewal of General Obligation Bonds
• Raytown Democratic Association Invitation to Holiday Party

Filing for public office in the City of Raytown
closes Tuesday, December. 27, 2022.

Those wishing to file for public office in Raytown are required to make an appointment with the City Clerk, Teresa Henry to set a time when she will be available to meet with you.

Ms. Henry can be contacted by calling 816 737 6000 (option 9).

If you have filed for office in Raytown and your name does not appear on the following list of candidates, contact us at gregtwalters@gmail.com

Candidate filings for the City of Raytown
as of December 19, 2022

Mayor
Michael McDonough

 Alderman Ward 1
Demonte Rochester

Greg Walters
 
Alderman Ward 2
Jason Sneddon
Jim Aziere
 
Alderman Ward 3
Janet Emerson

Jeanette Gentry
 
Alderman Ward 4
Mary Jane Van Buskirk
Theresa Garza
 
Alderman Ward 5
Diane Krizek

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report
The Tax Man is HERE!

 Most of those reading these words know that the Jackson County Assessment Department has been busy in Raytown leaving notices on front doors of the homes they visit.

No doubt many of those who received the notice wonder “what’s next”?.
 
To find out, we reached out to the former Director of the Jackson Assessment Department.

Robert Murphy was the Director of the Assessment Department from late 2015 through mid 2018.

Murphy told us the best advice is for taxpayers to look up their property on the Jackson County website, under "Parcel Viewer", and see if the listed square footage, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms of their house is accurate.

The year 2023 is a re-assessment year in Missouri.  Murphy said, “The target date for mailing property owners their new valuations is mid-April. However there have been times when mail did not reach owners until late May."

The levy rates, which are used to set how much you will actually pay in tax on property and cars will ultimately be approved by the Jackson County Legislature in late August of 2023.

3% Sales Tax Considered
on Recreational Marijuana Sales
On November 8^th the majority of the voters going to the polls approved the sale of recreational marijuana in Missouri.

Part of this new Amendment to the Missouri State Constitution also authorizes municipalities to charge a 3% sales tax on marijuana and certain drug paraphernalia sold in cities in Missouri.   
 
Before the 3% sales tax can be established, the voters within cities like Raytown must approve the creation of the three percent sales tax by a vote of the people in that municipality.
 
The next Municipal General Election in Raytown will be held on April 4, 2023.
 
On Tuesday, December 20^th, the Raytown Board of Aldermen will hold a First Reading on an ordinance to create the special election required to establish the 3% Sales Tax on the sale of recreational marijuana.
 
Raytown School District to
ask for Renewal of GO Bonds
Another item Raytown Voters can expect to see on their ballots next April is a renewal of General Obligation Bonds for the Raytown School District.
 
It is important to point out that this property tax proposal from the School District is technically not a new tax. As the District is fond of pointing out, it is the “renewal” of a previously approved property tax.
 
It is equally important to point out that the “renewal” is on the ballot because the old property tax is about to expire.
 
In other words, if the renewal fails, the property tax is reduced by the amount previously dedicated to projects that have now been completed.
 
If the “renewal” fails to receive enough votes by the voters, Raytown School District taxes will be lowered by the amount they were paying for the old property tax levy.
 
There are always two sides to any tax proposal.
 
Something to remember . . . when it is time to vote.
 
All property tax increases, be it real property or personal property, must be approved the voters. It is the only way a property tax can be created or increased.
 
As a friend of mine once recently shared with me, why would the School District wish to raise property taxes when it is well known they intend to close a number of the schools in Raytown because of the loss of enrollment?
 
It is a good question. It also deserves an answer. At this time, we do not have those answers. When we hear from the School District, we will share their answers with you.

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