In the Tuesday, Aug. 4 election Platte County voters will be asked to choose whether or not to renew the existing county-wide sales tax at the reduced rate of one-quarter of one percent on all retail sales made in the county for the purpose of providing dedicated funding for local parks and storm water control for the county for 10 years.
Voters will also be asked if Platte County should impose a county-wide sales tax at the rate of one-quarter of one percent on all retail sales in the county for the purpose of providing dedicated funding for the operation of Platte County law enforcement for a period of 10 years.
However, the proceeds of this sales tax will not be used for construction of a new jail facility.
The 10-member Platte County sales tax structure advisory committee was unanimous in its recommendation to the Platte County Commission to place these questions before the voters.
The committee was formed in 2019 to address the future of sales taxes in the county. Its report outlined a need to continue sales taxes for local parks and storm water and creation of a dedicated revenue stream for law enforcement.
The county’s one-half cent sales tax for local parks and storm water control is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020.
“Taxes will not increase for us here in Platte County by voting for this proposal,” Platte County sales tax structure advisory committee member Shane Bartee said.
The committee warns that any reduction in sales taxes in Platte County would trigger reductions in use taxes that fund general revenue.
Committee members also warn that due to COVID-19, general revenue in Platte County is already at risk of significant downward pressure.
Since the renewed tax for parks and stormwater will be reduced by one-quarter of one percent, and the tax for law enforcement will be one-quarter of one percent, Platte County residents will not see any direct sales tax increase.
The parks sales tax will ensure that development and construction of trails continue and enhances existing parks, per the county’s parks master plan, while continuing major stormwater abatement infrastructure projects.
The tax will also help to continue community outreach grants for parks and stormwater projects.
Both taxes if passed will be in place for a period of 10 years.
Bartee believes the services the tax will fund are vital to the community and won’t cost them any money.
“As a member of the committee that recommended this change, I feel this is a win-win for taxpayers,” Bartee said. “My family and I care deeply about parks and green spaces and this tax still allows the Parks Department to meet all its long-range goals. But it also funds law enforcement which is in dire need of funding. We have wonderful schools and parks in Platte County and we must also have the public safety resources to go along with those great schools and parks.”
Both sales taxes include a sunset clause, meaning when it expires it will not be renewed without voter approval.
Currently, there is no dedicated funding stream for law enforcement in Platte County. The Sheriff’s Department is responsible for deputies, school resource officers, training, equipment, emergency vehicles, 911 emergency services and housing inmates.
Platte County is responsible for the expenses related to jailing and prosecuting all individuals who committed a felony anywhere in Platte County, including the Kansas City portion of Platte County. Platte County has the same number of prosecutors it had in 2008. During that time, the number of felonies prosecuted has increased 75%.
Prosecutor caseloads have nearly doubled. A vote in favor of the taxes will mean that Platte County residents will pay the same sales tax rate, but law enforcement and parks/stormwater will both have dedicated funding.
Bartee said the committee was made up of a diverse group of county citizens and they entertained several possible courses of action.
“In the end, we agreed unanimously on this proposal,” Bartee said. “I consider its passage essential to the well being of our county and our kids. I will earnestly vote for it. Again, it is not a tax increase, it’s an efficient and intelligent use of the tax money we already pay.”