Voters last week turned down an extension of a Parkville property tax, which the city says will have repercussions residents will see in the coming years.
The question, “Shall the City of Parkville continue collecting its property tax levy of $.1665, which was levied through the year 2024 under voter approval from 2004, for another 20 years, to fund costs related to facilities and infrastructure provided by the city?” appeared on the Tuesday, Aug. 5 ballot. It was first approved by voters in 2004.
Voters cast 648 votes against the renewal on Aug. 5, to 501 votes for, with a voter turnout of about 19 percent of registered Parkville voters.
“Of course, the city was disappointed that the tax levy extension did not pass,” said Mayor Dean Katerndahl. “I anticipate the city may consider resubmitting the proposition to the voters, possibly next spring. However, we need a little more time to consider the matter and how we might make changes to the proposition and better educate to make it more acceptable to our voters.”
Katerndahl said the impact of not having this funding is two-fold:
“We will not be able to increase the amount of funds dedicated to annual maintenance of streets, curbs and sidewalks,” he said. “In the short run it means we will have to defer some projects neighborhoods hoped would progress. In the long run it means it will be difficult to keep up with the maintenance requirements for the city’s infrastructure, which is noticeable now and will be even more noticeable over time.
“More immediate issues are presented by the lack of resources to repair our transportation building and city hall. Some of the repairs are in need of immediate attention so we may have to defer other projects. Exactly how we address those decisions will be a point of discussion in the near future.
The levy was established in in 2004 to address the city’s capital needs, including building repairs, maintenance, and land acquisition for improvements. In April 2004, voters approved a ballot measure to increase the operating tax levy by 19 cents, generating an estimated $2.7 million over 21 years. The final year for collecting the approved levy amount was 2024. The levy was adjusted down by three cents due to the Missouri Hancock Amendment, limiting government revenue growth.
The 2004 levy was established to help the city catch up with maintenance and cover project costs. However, according to city staff, the estimates used to arrive at the $2.7 million figure were far too low, as actual project costs forced the city to postpone or reduce several projects.
According to a staff report, funds generated by the renewed levy would address several urgent capital needs, including infrastructure (streets, curbs and sidewalks) maintenance and repair, as well as expansion or replacement of a 35-year-old city facility housing the transportation team. This building is outdated, deteriorating, and no longer meets operational requirements. Major repairs to city hall, now approaching 20 years in age, are also needed.