Cause and Effect
BY GREG WALTERS

On January 1, 2024 Jackson County Taxpayers were slammed with historically high property tax increases. Those tax increases were beyond the realm of reasonable.

The Jackson County Executive's office and the Jackson County Assessor used their power to create fiscally irresponsible property and personal tax increases. Their actions literally hammered everyone in Jackson County with very large taxes  on anything they owned.

Jackson County was also the governing body that brought legislation On April 2, 2024. Jackson County voters turned down a sales tax increase for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals by near landslide proportions. This question was placed on the ballot by Jackson County even though the current tax was not due for replacement for another seven years.

In our view, the reason for the lopsided defeat is very clear. Taxpayers in Jackson County, are tired of the constant barrage of tax increases from School Districts, Municipalities, and other governmental agencies who raise use fees without a vote of the people such as sanitary sewer bills and water bills.

The list continues . . . utilities that bill electric, gas, and telecommunications for license fees. Those fees begin at the municipal level. Just like sales taxes, the more you spend the higher the tax you owe.

This become especially noticeable in times of high inflation -- such as our country has been experiencing over the last three years.

 

Is it any wonder taxpayers feel abused to the point of simply saying "no" to many of the ballot measures being placed before them?

 

As an example. In the last four years the City of Raytown has placed five property tax increases before the voters. They have also placed sales taxes, the largest being a 2% Use Fee on most internet sales within Raytown.

The Raytown School District has placed two property tax increases. Jackson County has placed one ballot measure and caused two property tax increases.

 

A total of ten tax increase packages!

That is way more than it should be.

 

As a result we are becoming witness to a taxpayer revolt -- one in which many of have made up their mind to say "no" on the suggestion of a proposal.

The vote total from Tuesday's election tells the rest of the story. 58% (NO) to 42% (YES) is only two percentage points from what political observers call a "landslide". 

Our political leaders should take note. The people have spoken. Will their elected officials listen?

YES . . . 56,606 (42%)            NO . . . 78,352 (58%)

A FRIENDLY REMINDER

April 2nd is Election Day. 

As anyone who receives mail, listens to the radio or watches television is aware, there is no shortage of ads telling us how to vote on the Stadium Sales Tax increase next Tuesday.

The proposed sales tax will extend the current sales tax for the stadiums for 40 years. There are still seven years left on the current sales tax. The extension is definitely a separate tax, and therefore, a new sales tax.

This in an interesting election. The vote yes side has spent millions of dollars to promote their position. The vote no side has responded with what appears to be a formidable grassroots effort to block the tax increase.

The results of the election will tell the rest of the story. Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 2nd.

CANINE SAREN

NEWS FLASH!!!

The fine looking beast shown on the left is going to work for the Raytown Police Department.

Officially, his name is Canine Saren.

He is a 3 1/2 year old Belgian Malinois. And, he comes with human (who is also Saren's Trainer).

This will add another certified officer and police dog to Raytown's Police Force. Both come with police experience and will be on the streets in Raytown soon. 

Raytown Police Chief Robert Kuehl had more good news for the City. He announced that there are three new officers currently undergoing training at the Police Academy.

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Enforcement of laws on Expired License
Plates in Raytown should be ramped up. 

BY GREG WALTERS

One of the complaints I hear most frequently from constituents is the number of license plates (temporary or expired) on vehicles driving on Raytown Streets. 

Here are some interesting facts I found that show how bad the problem really is.

FROM THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE . . .

The Missouri Department of Revenue is owed more than $78 million in delinquent temporary automobile license tag fees. The Department reports nearly 60,000 temporary permits are overdue.

FROM AREA NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS . . .
The following law enforcement agencies are cracking down on expired license plate tags and temporary tags.

Northland Police Departments recently teamed up with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to crack down on people driving with expired license plates and tags. The Kansas City Police Department reported the group effort confiscated 63 temporary tags and 23 license plates while handing out 271 citations in an eight hour span.

The following law enforcement agencies were active in the crackdown.

• Kansas City, Missouri Police Department
• Independence, Missouri Police Department
• Platte Woods Police
• Clay County Sheriff’s Office
• Platte County Sheriff’s Office
• Missouri Highway Patrol
• Missouri Depart. of Revenue (Compliance and Investigation Bureau)

Why Not Raytown?
This lack of enforcement has repercussions that are not good for Raytown. If a car is not properly licensed it is doubtful it has had a safety inspection. It also creates a difficult situation for Police to investigate crimes. Particularly if an improperly licensed vehicle is used to commit a crime. 

And yes, those temporary tags can easily be counterfeited and frequently are.

Another impact is the loss of tax revenue. When a car is not licensed properly it is very doubtful the Personal Property Tax on the vehicle has been paid.

Most car owners in Raytown pay their share of Personal Property Taxes. These same people properly license their automobiles. How about everyone paying their fair share in license fees and Personal Property Tax?

The Missouri Department of Revenue reports a loss of $78 Million Dollars in tax revenue because of the lack of enforcement. No doubt some of that money would end up in Raytown’s General Fund if we were to follow the lead of surrounding communities and step up enforcement of our local laws on the proper licensing of vehicles in Raytown.

The fine for driving with expired plates comes close to $100 in a Fourth Class City in Missouri. Those fines, coupled with revenue from the Personal Property Taxes  people are required to pay on their vehicles and other personal property (automobiles, motorcycles, boats, motor homes, etc.), could help extend our city's street repair program.

Raising everyone's taxes to make up the shortfall of scofflaws who believe they are above the law and do not have pay their fair share is not a solution.

Raytowners have already been buried in historically high property tax increases this year.  Ignoring scofflaws who refuse to license their vehicles and pay their Personal and Real Property Tax in a timely manner is not a solution.

Proper enforcement of our City and State laws is the solution.

Raytown should join surrounding cities like Kansas City and Independence in stepping up enforcement on expired temporary license tags.

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GREG WALTERS

One of our regular contributors to the Raytown Report saw the following news story broadcast KCTV5 earlier this week. Senior homeowners in Jackson County, Missouri, can now apply for a new property tax credit program that freezes their bills.

Jackson County, Missouri officials announced on Monday, March 4, that the State of Missouri has launched to assist those eligible with property tax payments on their home. The program was authorized by Senate Bill 190 and freezes property tax bills for those approved for the program.

Senior Homeowners in Jackson County
eligible for new Property Tax Program
By Sarah Motter / KCTV5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Senior homeowners in Jackson County, Missouri, can now apply for a new property tax credit program that freezes their bills.

Jackson County, Missouri officials announced on Monday, March 4, that the State of Missouri has launched to assist those eligible with property tax payments on their home. The program was authorized by Senate Bill 190 and freezes property tax bills for those approved for the program.

Applications for the program have been made available and those approved in 2024 will see the tax credit benefit on their bill in 2025.

According to a statement published by Jackson County, Missouri “Jackson County is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our senior residents, enriching their overall quality of life. This initiative offers significant benefits, ensuring financial relief and stability for eligible individuals. We encourage qualified residents to take advantage of the opportunity presented by this valuable program.”

County officials also said the bill established guidelines for the county program, which include:

• Eligibility Criteria - The program is available to Jackson County residents eligible for Social Security retirement benefits and meet specific property ownership requirements.
• Tax Credit Amount - The year an application is approved sets the base amount for the property tax bill freeze. This will be the amount the resident will pay moving forward.
• One Primary Residence - Applicants can only claim one primary home which must be occupied by the eligible resident.
• Market Value Maximum - The market value of the property must be less than $550,000 to be eligible for the program by a law passed by the Jackson County legislature.

Officials said all applications and supporting documents will be due by Dec. 31 each year - online and in-person. Applicants will need to submit a new application each year. Renewal applications are due by Aug. 31 each year.

Applications can be found HERE. Copies will also be available at both Collection Department locations at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City and the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence.

For more information about the application process, click HERE.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from KCTV5.
Originally published Mar. 4, 2024 at 1:10 PM CST|Updated: Mar. 5, 2024 at 12:48 PM CST

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BY GREG WALTERS

"Xóchitl"
DEBUTS AT SAINT REGIS
"Xóchitl" is from the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs in Central Mexico. 

The word means "flower". The dance group is made up entirely of women from Saint John Francis Parish located just south of Raytown at 8941 James A. Reed Road in Kansas City, Missouri.

The members of the dance group (pictured on the left) design and create their own dresses. The show they perform is amazing with singing and group dancing that is a pleasure to observe. 

With colors, smiles, and exotic dancing set to mariachi songs they captivated the audience.

Their hope is to continue sharing their heritage with the community and to show young ladies the beauty of the Mexican folklore and the richness of their traditions.

Their next performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 15th  at  Feast of St. John Francis Regis, at 4:00 p.m.

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