Happy Easter!

In preparation of the small visitors, (aka, our grandchildren) I was enlisted to help prepare our home for a visit from our extended family

Mecee started her day by doing what she does best . . . shopping. One of her stops was at HyVee where she was greeted by the largest Easter bunny I have ever seen.

Meanwhile our ever faithful puppy dog, Crickette, was at her usual perch doing what she does best, keeping an eye on the world outside our living room window.

Guess what our ever-faithful puppy found.  If you guessed another Easter Bunny in our front yard . . . you are correct!

So what did I do? . . . Hey, somebody had to take the pictures!

Happy Easter
from Mecee, Greg and Crickette Crickette   

USE THIS LINK TO  Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS

BY GREG WALTERS

Raytown Voters to Decide Two
Sales Tax Questions on Tuesday, April 7th

The City of Raytown has used a direct mail campaign and web advertising to "educate" the Raytown Public about two sales tax ballot questions to be decided on April 7th.

In our view any effort to inform voters of the facts is good politics. So, with the help of “artificial intelligence” we are adding to the wealth of information available to the voting public.

The two questions we will be voting on April 7 are two sales tax renewals. One is for Public Safety, the other for Capital Improvements.

How much will the two sales taxes cost taxpayers?

The two taxes will be funded by sales tax on retail sales. The following list shows the combined tax rate in Raytown for most retail transactions.

• Missouri State Sales Tax
• Jackson County Sales Tax
• Raytown Sales Tax
• Raytown Fire District Sales Tax
• Special Swope Park Zoo Sales Tax
• Your total Sales Tax Rate equals.................8.862%*

If you shop at a retail business located in a Special Tax District, such as:
    

    • a Community Improvement District (CID)

    • a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF)

• Your total Sales Tax increases to..................9.475%*

These "Special Tax Districts" are financed in part by consumers through an additonal sales tax at stores like Walmart, Sutherland Lumber and others located in so-called "Tax Improvement Districts."

How will the money collected by the two sales taxes be spent?

If voters approve these two taxes the life span of the taxes will be ten years each. One tax question asks for renewal of a half-cent tax for transportation.The other tax question asks for a three/eighths-cent tax for capital improvements.

Simple majorities by voters are needed for approval of each tax.

According to information from the City's website the tax revenue produced from the two taxes will be spent on . . . 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SALES TAX: Will be spent on police equipment, city equipment, and storm water projects.

TRANSPORTATION SALES TAX: Will be spent on street maintenance, salt, brine and other materials and services for effective snow removal operations.

It is important to note the two tax proposals do not mention any specific streets that will be repaired if approved by voters.

Please remember to vote on Tuesday, April 7th.

POLLS OPEN AT 6:00 AM AND CLOSE AT 7:00 PM

 USE THIS LINK TO  Comment AND VIEW COMMENTS