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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 4^TH 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 59^th 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 63^rd Street, 59^th 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

Raytown Scores
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 4^th 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:

• 

  STREET/STORM SEWER PROJECT
  PLANNED FOR 59TH STREET AND
  RAYTOWN ROAD THIS SUMMER

  The money can be used to leverage Grants from the State of Missouri.
  In Raytown two highly visible projects, the 350 Highway / Raytown Road intersection and a project rebuilding Raytown Road at 59^th 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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