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Campaign Notes BY GREG WALTERS
"In case
any were wondering, that guy in the baseball cap walking through your
neighborhoods in the past two months was me."
I know I
have a tough campaign on my hands against an opponent who is well-financed.
So it is kind of a “David vs. Goliath” type of situation.
At the same time, as I shared with some supporters who have helped me in the campaign, “We may be out-spent by the other side . . . but I can assure you, they will not outwork us.”
With that in mind I thought I would share some of the most regular impressions I have received as I take my campaign for re-election door to door:
REPAIR OUR STREETS: This is a theme I have heard from voters over and over in the last two months. As I pointed out in my last newsletter, it looks like Raytown will have the money to move in that direction. The combined income streams of the 2% Internet Use Tax and the 3% sales tax on Recreational Marijuana* can jump start the city’s street repair program.
*IF APPROVED BY RAYTOWN VOTERS AT THE APRIL 4TH
ELECTION.
If the city earmarks this new-found income for street repair it can be paired with grants from the State of Missouri to push our street repair program into high gear.
I am encouraged by Legislative action taken by the Board of Aldermen on two large construction projects scheduled for this summer. Both the 59th Street / Raytown Road Project and the Sanitary Sewer Project in Ward 1 show increased emphasis addressing the city’s infrastructure.
Both projects are funded in part by grants from the State of Missouri.
It is definitely a step in the right direction.
SLOW DOWN THE SPEEDERS: In Ward 1 excessive and unsafe speeding has been noted on 63rd Street, 59th Street, Elm Street, Lane Street and Hunter Street. It is a problem that has been bad and is getting worse.
I have held discussions with our City Administrator. He has assured me they are aware of the problem and are working on solutions to dangerous driving practices in Raytown.
The Police Department is expecting three new officers who are close to graduating from the Police Academy by early summer.
This additional manpower will help in providing ways the City can properly address the speeding problem.
If you see any illegal activity such as racing, excessive speeding, sideshows, etc., call 911 and report the activity immediately.
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Use Tax Windfall
I was wondering how much tax revenue the city had gained due to the Internet Use Tax approved by Raytown voters in November of 2021.
Since retail sales vary on a month to month basis, I requested the Missouri Department of Revenue to show how much Sales Use Tax revenue had been created in the last 12 months. This would give a year to year comparison in line with standard budgeting procedures.
The Missouri Department of Revenue* was quick in responding.
The numbers they sent were quite a surprise.
The City of Raytown had collected over $1,113,443 (million dollars) in the first 12 months of the tax. (February, 2022 thru January, 2023).
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT
OF REVENUE
TAXATION DIVISION
Use Tax History –
Political Subdivision Detail
60788 RAYTOWN
*THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE MANAGES THE COLLECTION OF SALES TAX DOLLARS AND THEN REMITS THE TAX AMOUNTS BACK TO THE GOVERNING AGENCIES.
THE CHART ABOVE SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE FROM THE INTERNET USE/SALES TAX IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS. THE TOTAL WILL INCREASE IN FUTURE YEARS AS INTERNET COMMERCE CONTINUES TO GROW.
It occurred to me that these “new” tax dollars can be earmarked specifically for Raytown’s greatest need – that need being street improvements in Raytown.
It gets better. Raytown has another new sales tax on the horizon.
On April 4th Raytown voters will decide the fate of a 3% Sales Tax on the sale of Recreational Marijuana.
Only those who purchase recreational marijuana will pay this tax.
This is NEW tax revenue. It does not take from other tax dollars the city traditionally receives. These tax dollars can be used for what is definitely Raytown’s greatest need.
That greatest need is our streets.
As I walk door to door in Raytown in my bid for re-election I have heard it many times.
- People want their streets repaired.
- They want highly visible traffic lanes marked on Raytown streets.
- They want to drive down their neighborhood streets without having to dodge potholes.
This windfall of “new” tax revenue can make all of that happen.
It is a “Pay as You Go Plan” that will not raise property taxes one cent. Nor will it incur debt service to pay for municipal bonds.
It is a unique opportunity for the City of Raytown to correct a problem the City has struggled with for years. The need to address the city’s failing road system.
To keep from repeating mistakes of the past, the tax revenue should be earmarked for street improvements with language that is binding for not only this Board of Aldermen but for future Boards as well.
Nothing creates curbside appeal of homes in a neighborhood as much as a new street surface. If we want our city to sparkle, this is the first step the City must take.
Windfall of Tax Dollars Offers Possibilities
The large influx of tax revenue creates all sorts of possibilities:
The money can be used to leverage Grants from the State of Missouri.
STREET/STORM SEWER PROJECT
PLANNED FOR 59TH STREET AND
RAYTOWN ROAD THIS SUMMER
In Raytown two highly visible projects, the 350 Highway / Raytown Road intersection and a project rebuilding Raytown Road at 59th St./Raytown Road are both being paid for (in part) by matching grants from the State of Missouri.
- In November of 2021 Raytown voters approved a 7.2 Million Dollar Bond package for the repair and construction of Storm sewers. If the city chooses its projects wisely, those storm sewer upgrades can be used in conjunction with upgrades to our streets. Thereby increasing the miles of street that will be prepared.
- Both the Use Tax and
the Marijuana Tax are sales tax based. This steady flow of income will keep
pace with the value of a dollar and allow the city to implement a maintenance
plan for future projects.
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17 comments:
I hope the rest of the City Council takes note of what you have found out. The numbers from the State of Missouri says it all. Raytown has an opportunity to correct mistakes from its past. Infrastructure should be high on the list of where this money should be spent. I do not live in your part of the city but I know there are two people running for alderman where I live. When they come around you can rest assured I will tell them this extra tax money should be spent on our streets.
Judging from all the promises we were made in the last election, it looks like those promises may be coming true.
Thank you for letting the average citizen know the good news.
So interesting. Just heard from one of the Mayor's buddies is upset because the information has become public about the city's windfall of tax dollars. Says he heard about it a week ago!
Interesting. This person is not connected to City Hall except through his being a buddy of the Mayor.
There seems to be a pattern here. If someone speaks against the destruction of one of Raytown's premier neighbohoods at 53rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard, the Mayor uses his position at a Council Meeting to chastise the speaker for not "following the process".
If someone finds out the city has a big windfall of tax dollars headed its way, someone makes it public and the Mayor's minion is angry. Makes no sense. This windfall of tax money should be used to fix our streets.
We all suffered through months and months of badgering from the Mayor's followers who wanted to tax us out of our homes to fix our streets.
This windfall of tax money will save taxpayers a LOT OF MONEY.
We should be celebrating that it has been found. Now lets put it to some good use.
FIX OUR STREETS.
Just because someone says there will be a windfall does not make it true.
Oh my goodness! Are you really that obtuse? Look at the statement published on the blog. Those returns are from February, 2002 to January, 2023. It is not a question of whether or not there will be a windfall. It has has already happened! Given by the dates on the Consolidated City Use Tax chart -- it has probably been public information for well over a month by now.
The the guy before wrote, we should be celebrating what has been found.
I do not know who you are. But you are showing the classic symptoms of a hater. That is someone who knows how to tear things down.
And a message for Greg. Thank you for letting the public know about this. You are the best!
Anyone who has an issue with the copy of the Report front the Department of Revenue of Missouri should take that up with the Revenue Department. They did what they are supposed to. Keep the public informed as to what is going on with our tax dollars. Not all governments are run like Raytown. The "need to know" attitude at City Hall makes as much sense as creating a short string of words like "follow the process". Which does mean much.
The process in Raytown should be one of open give and take. With ideas from the public welcomed, prompt reporting of news that is of more interest than a concert in a park.
I am not surprised some in Raytown are actually upset because someone let the public know of the windfall of tax dollars we are being blessed with. I hope truly hope that our City Council, Mayor and City Staff truly do want their streets repaired. And now that we have some new money coming in. Well, let's just hope they get to work and take care of business.
I was pleased to learn the amount of the internet tax. I still have not heard if anyone in our city has checked out the large group of residents that have the 64138 zip code which is Kansas City - have those taxes gone to KC? How can this be checked?
Our board of Alderman has to be one of the worst not just in MO, but all of America.
Our Mayor disrespect citizens during public comments. Post things on Facebook like the former President.
Our Alderman refuse to answer questions and act like they areroyalty.
Several have publicly been asked about salaries and staffing of questionable positions, but they refuse to disclose compensation and individual salaries even though this is public information according to the AG's office and several state elected officials.
Anyone thinking of voting for any of these Incumbants are part of the problem not part of the solution.
It is time we wake up even against the mayor with protest at his home or flooding the AG with complaints against him.
The mayor has our city do messed up that we cannot even get quality candidate.
The one thing the mayor is good at is raising fees and taxes. Not a good thing with how covid has hit the economy, but what does he care with that fancy pension we are paying for.
We also have Mayor's good friends at Walmart that are costing us city services because it is not bringing in enough taxes to cover the bonds. In part because Walmart protest their taxes every year.
It may be about a month away but PLEASE mark your calendar for the next meeting of the Raytown Planning and Zoning Commission.
TOPIC: City Hall's plans to invade our neighborhood with commercial zoning of a gasoline station and a Discount Tobacco and Liquor Convenience Store.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, April 6, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Raytown City Hall
City Hall is playing games by cancelling the first meeting and quietly re-scheduling the new meeting time. Help us get our message across to the Planning and Zoning Commission that this proposal will destroy our neighborhood with increased traffic, crime, littering and pollution and a place for the homeless to hang out.
Please help us protect our neighborhood by attending the meeting and adding your voice to our cause!
Finally! Someone who understands that our number one priority is fixing the streets in Raytown. I am so embarrassed when people from out of town come to visit. This new stream of revenue can a long way in fixing our number one problem.
I wish you good weather for campaigning to get re-elected, Greg. I appears you are one of the few on the Board of Aldermen who are willing to speak out on this.
We are listening. keep up the good work.
With $1.1 million City Hall can have the biggest and brightest sign in Missouri!
The lack of integrity
Just a week before the November 2022 election, the majority of the Board of Alderman decided to give themselves a raise. Now this is allowed, by state law, but what makes this questionable is the 1st and 2nd reading were conducted in the same meeting. There was no justifiable reason for this rush and our city attorney remained silent , which brings into question her qualifications and need of additional training to maintain her ability to practice law in Missouri. However, that is a separate issue and everyone needs to call the MO Bar Association with concerns.
The issue at hand are the incumbents that votes for the suspension of the rules and votes a pay increase without public comments. The first thing about the raise is if the city is hurting for money, which has been demonstrated by the fee increases, multiple bond question and attempts for approve. Don't forget this is the same board that had to resend a vote for a new tax as a new tax cannot go before the voters on something not yet legal in the state. This is Raytown and too often the majority of our board forget the minor things that make the difference between greed and ethics.
Had the community had the opportunity to be heard the board might have learned that many in the community feel they are not represented by the majority for the board and there are mixed messages being sent. The board might have been reminded that the mayor's salary should have actually been decreased to match that of the alderman. Why should the mayor's salary be reduced so dramatically because the duties have not been the same since the first city administrator was hired under the Frank administration. Prior to that the mayor had a much greater role in the day to day business. State law even limits the duties of a mayor. In short they lead the meeting and vote only in a tie. Folks we are now paying a lot for something we are not getting.
We can only hope the new board once sworn in will fix this going forward to include pay freeze for both our city administrator and assistant city administrator until the over funding of the mayor's position can be recuperated. Maybe the new board will question why a city that is only 10 square miles and still 4th class city needs any type of a city administrator or assistant position. Who doesn't believe salary and other benefits for those two positions are costing us a quarter of a million dollars a year. What a waste of tax dollars.
I want my streets fixed, but it needs to start with the local utility that refuses to repair the streets they tear up will doing repairs or are damaged because they don't have a replacement plan.
At the same time our elected officials look like a deers in the head lights for taking action against the utility. Make excuses of those that are too lazy to do right by us taxpayers. Maybe if several of them spent more time making Raytown better and less time all over Facebook tell use to treat others better while at the same time attacking anyone who disagrees with them like the play ground bully. I thought our city had a code of conduct, but it must not apply to everyone the same way.
Some of you guys paint with a very broad brush. Granted, there are some elected officials that are not as helpful as others. It has always been that way. It comes as no surprise that some of the current BOA is more active than others. But when I read statements that use a large blanket to throw over every elected alderman and condemn all of them I wonder what are your trying to say? There are ten Board members. Are they all equally bad? I don't think so. I have two Alderman in my ward. One is very active, the other is just the opposite. Guess who I call when I need help?
Look at it this way. We are all basically the same. We share the same identity as human beings. But that does not mean we are all exactly alike. A little charity is needed by many keyboard warriors. There are some good aldermen out there. Some of them are keepers. My grandmother used to say "do not throw everything out with the dishwater. There is good in everything."
Thank you for publishing. This Raytown Report is the closest thing we have to a newspaper. Some of the stuff I read on social media facebook pages scares me. keep up the good work.
I read some of the Facebook pages for a laugh.
I compare them to a supermarket tabloid.
I cannot believe that some of these Facebook pages allow a former Alderman to post things. We all at have times have struggled it is just part of life. However, most get help, pull up our big boy pants and move on. This person does a tell of of his sins and says they are now a better person. I don't know many better people that attack others because they disagree with the other person's position on things.
Maybe those old habits the former Alderman are back, which I hope is not the case as I have and still working with some friends to keep those demons away. Maybe once again they are on the edge of a failed marriage. Maybe it is as simple they enjoy being the town bully and the attention it brings to them. However, they need to understand it doesn't make them or those that repost their hate look like good Christians, but instead those we should be praying for. This also brings additional negative light to our city and the leadership of individuals that don't want a place to raise children, but a ghetto of rental homes and vacant business builds.
March 9 @ 12:40 well said.
I too have seen some of the repost and I question when a member of the board including the mayor is reposting the type of hate that sanitation have not been taken.
Sounds like the city or insurance company will be paying out again for harassment and discrimination that they don't hold everyone to the same standards.
Maybe once we get professionals on the board we can stop wasting money so we can use the money we have for street maintenance.
"I read some of the Facebook pages for a laugh. I compare them to a supermarket tabloid."
Those Facebook boards are g*rbage, and thankfully, are outmoded and rapidly declining.
Aldermen Walters has served our family well for years. He's never missed a beat. We're proud to unreservedly vote for him once again in the upcoming election. Mr. Walters has been a major asset to this community for decades.
Raytown Report has been a longstanding testament to this aldermen's analytical skills, tenure and knowledge of this community.
If it were not for Walters' leadership, many citizens of this community would have been forced out of their homes or at least would have had to navigate through potentially catastrophic financial circumstances from a mind-bendingly foolish bond proposal which fell to defeat. TWICE. Turns out that we're going to do just fine with the additional revenue from sales taxes....IF the funds are properly managed.
Whether Alderman Walters is or isn't reelected is a moot point, in my opinion. Citizens READ this blog. They have been heartened by its wisdom and common sense.
The vast silent majority exists here, is powerful, and is growing exponentially.
Interesting, how those vocal three or four online folks consistently exclaim that they "haven't read that blog in YEARS...."
Au contraire. Y'all hang on to every word.
Enjoy. The best is yet to come.
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