ELECTION RESULTS . . .

Jackson County Voters Reject creation of Internet Use Tax.

Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected the County’s proposed Use Tax at the November 7, 2023 election.

Jackson County Question 1: Creation of a new Internet Use Tax.

YES . . . . . . . 23,478      40.8%

NO . . . . . . . . 34,043      59.2%

PAUL'S RANT!

BY PAUL LIVIUS

A local news station, Fox News in Kansas City wrote “While we don’t know why Jackson County voters overwhelmingly rejected the use tax, it’s clear residents don’t want to see another tax imposed on their purchases.”

We are not surprised by the results. The message is clear. Jackson County voters have lost faith in the poor leadership by Jackson County officials. The nightmarish tax increases forced on homeowners through property tax increase has poisoned any good faith between the taxpayers and the politician responsible for the outrageous property tax valuations.

If the County leadership truly wants to correct the damage they have done to Jackson County property owners all they need do is to unilaterally lower the outrageously high property tax valuations reached earlier this year under Frank White’s leadership.

PRESS RELEASE FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE

November 8, 2023

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement in response to the defeat of Jackson County Question 1, which would have established a county use tax:

“The use tax proposal that was presented on last night’s ballot, though well-intentioned, did not offer the County the necessary flexibility to manage potential future challenges or unforeseen circumstances. We are thankful to the members of the Legislature who were willing to engage in collaborative efforts and sought to refine the ballot language. Their commitment to constructive dialogue was invaluable, although regrettably, they represented the minority.

“Additionally, it is important to note that the decision to move forward with the original proposal led to a special election that incurred a cost of over $1 million to the County, funds that were not allocated in this year’s budget. This expenditure underscores the gravity of the decision made by the majority of the Legislature.

“In light of these financial implications and our commitment to fiscal responsibility, my Administration and I could not endorse the use tax ballot as proposed. Ensuring the County’s needs are met with foresight and flexibility remains a priority, and I am dedicated to stewardship that embodies these values, striving for a community that is not only better and more equitable but also fiscally sound.”

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY

REMEMBER TO VOTE NO on Jackson County Question Number 1.

If approved this tax increase will needlessly increase the sales tax on all items purchased on the internet that are not manufactured in the State of Missouri. All of the cities in Jackson County have already created a Use Tax for this purpose.

This attempt to double the Taxation on internet sales is unfair and unnecessary.

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BY GREG WALTERS

Sneak Election Alert! 
Vote “NO” on another Use Tax
It seems that Special Tax Increase Elections are
becoming the norm in Jackson County as well as
Raytown. Please read on to see what you can
expect at the Election Polls next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday, November 7, 2023, a Special Election is being held in Jackson County. Since this is an “off-year” election date, there are no other elections planned. No Federal Elections, no State Elections, even area cities like Raytown are not holding an election.

However, Jackson County is holding an election. And it is an election that will have a big impact on what you pay in Internet Use Taxes if it passes. Since it is the only question on the ballot the taxpayers in Jackson County will be paying approximately $598,375 just to hold the election.

“Wait a minute!” you may ask. “Didn’t the City of Raytown already hold and election in 2021?”

Yes. The City of Raytown did hold such an election. It was the only issue on the ballot and was also held in an off year November election. Voters originally turned down the tax increase. This was the city’s second attempt. Only 11% of the registered voters turned out for the election.

The Election Board is expecting a 3% turn-out in the Jackson County Election Board’s jurisdiction.

We are already paying a Use Tax on our purchases in Raytown. We DO NOT need to pay a second one to Jackson County as well.

This is a bad deal for Jackson County Taxpayers.

We are already being hammered by real estate tax increases that are so grossly unfair that they are being challenged in Court.

This election is a no-brainer. On Tuesday, November 7^th

Vote No! ON JACKSON COUNTY QUESTION ONE

The following fact sheet was written by Stacy Lake. 

Stacy Lake is a former Democratic candidate for the position of Jackson County Executive. Ms. Lake is Licensed to Practice Law in both Missouri and Kansas. Her firm is Stacy Lake Firm, LLC.To view other thoughts by Ms. Lake go to FACEBOOK.COM/STACYLAKEMO 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 $𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬��𝐢𝐨𝐧
In November 2020, the Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway discovered that the Jackson County Government’s finances were unknowingly underutilized by over $100 million dollars for years. To the best of my knowledge, the Jackson County Government has never made any statement or provided any explanation as to where this money went after the error was discovered. The only thing the legislature has done is appoint Q. Troy Thomas, one of the individuals responsible for this accounting error, as the sole auditor of the Jackson County Legislature.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬?
The Jackson County Government already has a special tax for roads and bridges that is expected to provide over $14 million dollars in revenue this year. The historically high 2023 property tax increases will provide the government with millions of dollars in additional revenue. The Jackson County Government could simply fund JCQ #1’s needs through the additional revenue in the 2024 budget. For instance, the Jackson County Legislature had to spend over $1 million dollars to hold this special election for specifically this question. Instead of spending $1 million dollars asking voters to increase their own tax burden with JCQ #1, they could have used that money to triple the Homeless Assistance Fund 043.

𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬
There is no specific project or need that is defined under this ordinance. The broad language used in the ordinance allows the Jackson County Government to use these tax funds for any purpose they see fit. For instance, the Jackson County Government could use these tax funds to renovate their own offices under the ordinance term for “repair projects in Jackson County.” There is no certainty that any of the funds will be spent on homeless assistance, renovations or fixing the “roads and bridges.” Which roads or bridges? Which renovations? The current language of the ordinance has no safeguards to ensure that the tax monies will be spent properly. As a result, there is a serious possibility that JCQ #1’s tax monies would in essence become a slush fund: money without a designated purpose which the Jackson County Government could use for anything they want.

𝐁𝐮𝐭, 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐲, 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥?
The Jackson County Government continues to monetarily harm Jackson County residents through its callous tax increases and public financial fiascoes. To support Jackson County Question #1, many members of the legislature and media are spreading the rhetoric that the Jackson County Government simply does not have the money to meet their needs. Yet, in the same news cycle, they are entertaining the idea of providing billions of our tax dollars to fund a new stadium. This is despite the fact that our current jails have been failing for over forty years, our courthouses need massive renovations due to delayed maintenance, and our residents’ needs in the unincorporated zones of Jackson County have been continuously ignored.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒
As stated above, the election board is only expecting 3% of Jackson County residents to vote on November 7, 2023. Any Jackson County resident who lives in Kansas City can go to the Kansas City Election Board location at 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and any Jackson County resident who lives outside of Kansas City can go to the Jackson County Election Board location at 215 N. Liberty in Independence RIGHT NOW and vote. It would take less than five minutes. We have all been impacted by this year’s severe economic woes. In the last two years, the cost of groceries has increased by more than twenty percent. Evergy’s new electricity rates will increase everyone’s utility bill. Additionally, in Jackson County, our property taxes (real and personal) have skyrocketed. With mortgage interest rates increasing day by day, purchasing and maintaining an ownership interest in a property has become nearly impossible for a household that makes under $100,000 per year. Moreover, small businesses who rely on purchasing out of county goods to provide their services will be severely impacted. We don’t have a choice about property taxes, costs of living expenses, utility or mortgage rates, but we do have a choice about this!

This is our chance to make our voice heard.

Vote No!

on Jackson County Question One

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PHOTO BY GREG WALTERS

Halloween is that time of year when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world is at its thinnest. It is when the spirits from the other side can enter our “physical” world.

At our house we have one guest spirit – at least part of him, that being his head – who has taken up residence in a guest bedroom. Beside his head is replica of the “Black Candle” from the movie "Hocus Pocus".

Some say nonsense! As for us, we believe.

Happy Halloween from Greg, Paul and all of our guest writers at the Raytown Report!

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Destruction of Park
Property is Illegal

If you see anyone vandalizing Raytown Park Property . . . Call the Police!

TIRE TRACKS LEFT AT COLMAN PARK.

The tires of a small recreational vehicle created the wheel marks at Colman Park.

Since we are nearing the end of the growing season, the scars from the vandalism will probably be on display for a good part of late Fall and into Winter.

The lowlife who drove the vehicle broke a number of laws before he left the walking trail at Colman Park to show off his twisted taste in the what some may consider to be "fun".

Two city ordinances were broken when he scarred the grassy area on the north side of the park. 

Motorized vehicles are only allowed on solid surface (like streets or parking lots). Walking trails are only to be used for walking or jogging.

Leaving the solid surface and driving on the grass is vandalism.

In Raytown Municipal Court the fine for either of these infractions can be has high as $500.

If you witness anyone breaking these laws, call the  Police at 911.

There is a small homeless invasion underway at many of Raytown's city parks. It was recently reported to park headquarters that two vehicles were parked behind the Park Headquarters building located at 59th and Lane Streets. The two vehicles were spotted before sunrise. One vehicle had all of its interior windows blocked from vision. Probably so as not to be disturbed by the light that illuminates the parking lot. 

The second vehicle had two individuals who were just waking up. Once they noticed someone watching them, they immediately left the parking lot.

This is especially disturbing because if the situation is not corrected the parking area can easily become a jumping off spot for vandalism or theft in surrounding neighborhoods.

If you see this activity, please call the Raytown Police at 911.

A solution . . . 

An interesting footnote to this story is that the illegal parking does not take place in the maintenance area just south of the Park Headquarters Building. 

The reason there is not any illegal parking going on in the maintenance parking area is because the parking lot is secured by locked gates each evening. 

This simple solution, if applied to the parking area behind the Park Headquarters would not only end the illegal parking, it would also free up the Police patrolling the area to answer other calls for service.

What do you think?

Take a moment to share your thoughts by dropping us a line or two on the Blog portion of the Raytown Report.

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