Latest news with #sales tax
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kris Kobach disputes Johnson County tax, says mental health & EMS not public safety
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach claims in a recently published opinion that Johnson County commissioners acted beyond their authority when they approved a November ballot question asking voters to renew the county's existing public safety sales tax. The thrust of his argument is that the county has proposed to use the money generated by the sales tax in ways that go beyond what Kansas law intended such a tax to be used for. Namely, Kobach says that mental health services and emergency medical services do not qualify as public safety projects. The opinion is Kobach's interpretation of state law in response to questions from Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. It's not legally binding in and of itself. In a statement, Thompson said that he raised this issue with the attorney general because he's concerned that 'an additional sales tax places a burden on everyone in the county, not just consumers.' 'The more prices go up, the less people buy. It dampens economic activity,' he said. 'Hopefully, this opinion will encourage the board to reconsider, particularly at this time when every other tax keeps going up.' What is the sales tax? The Johnson County Public Safety Sales tax is a quarter-cent sales tax that voters approved in 2016. In the years since, the county used the tax money to pay for the construction of the new courthouse and medical examiner's facility, while various cities used the money for a range of projects 'including police vehicles, mental health co-responders, and facility improvements.' With an expiration date coming in March 2027, the County Board of Commissioners proposed to extend the tax and put the money toward an expanded set of projects. In May, they voted to put this question on the November 2025 general election ballot: 'Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas, adopt, renew, and impose for a period of ten (10) years a one-fourth (1/4) of one-cent countywide retailers' sales tax in Johnson County, Kansas, commencing April 1, 2027, with proceeds from the tax to be distributed as required by law to the County and the cities in Johnson County, with the county share to be used for the purpose of financing the costs of construction, renovation, repair, maintenance, operation and personnel expenses of public safety projects, facilities, and programs, including but not limited to emergency/ambulance/911 services, Sheriff's Office, mental health crisis intervention, emergency preparedness/disaster response, and criminal justice system?' The county board of commissioners wanted the sales tax question on the ballot again to put the county in a better position to keep up with its population growth and rising number of mental health-related and emergency service calls as the population gets older, according to the county's information page about the renewal. Inflation, competitive wages and uncertain state and federal funding sources are also driving up the cost of emergency response services. If passed, the tax would raise $54 million annually and be split between the county and cities in the county. If it passes, residents would pay one cent on a $5 purchase or 25 cents for a $100 purchase. The opinion and Johnson County's response In his opinion, Kobach claims that the Kansas statute allows the board to seek a sales tax that 'funds certain public safety projects.' Specifically, 'physical facilities directly related to law enforcement and necessary related programs.' 'While certainly important to the county, mental health services and emergency medical services standing alone, do not qualify,' the opinion read. 'Mental health services and emergency medical services are not physical structures directly related to law enforcement.' Even though the tax burden would be the same, the renewed tax wouldn't be funding the same projects because the courthouse and coroner facility — paid for with the original tax — will be completed by the time the tax expires, he claimed in his opinion. 'This is admittedly a fine line,' Kobach wrote. 'Because the proposition seeks to institute a new tax under the guise of continuing the current tax, the proposition exceeds the Board's authority, which means that it is null and void.' Johnson County Communications and Engagement Director Lisa Thurber said in a statement that the Board of County Commissioners is looking into the opinion further. 'While the opinion does not carry the force of law and is not binding on courts or other entities, the Board of County Commissioners is reviewing and considering its content,' Thurber said in the statement. Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said in a statement that he believes investing in public safety is important for the entire community, but he will reserve further comment on the attorney general's opinion until he learns more about the outcome of the board of commissioners' review. Fred Sherman, the county elections commissioner, said that it's up to the commissioners to determine, adjust or remove the question going on the ballot. The county has until September 2 to submit or withdraw a question going on the November 5 ballot. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Devils Lake enters budget cycle without sales tax increase, will have tough decisions to make
Jul. 23—DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Heading into the 2026 budget cycle will bring some tough decisions to the Devils Lake City Commission following the failure of a proposed sales tax increase, said City Administrator Spencer Halvorson. Without the added revenue the increase would have raised if passed, the commission will have to consider what trade-offs to make. "I think, if anything, we have clarity," Halvorson said. "That's kind of why we pursued it when we did." A proposal to raise Devils Lake's sales tax by 0.5% failed Tuesday, July 22 . City data said 401 residents voted "no" to the increase and 165 voted "yes," failing the vote with 71% against and 29% in favor. Mayor Jim Moe said there are already budget meetings planned by the City Commission, including one on Thursday, July 24, and another on the following Monday. The group will have to discuss the city's needs, what it wants to accomplish and what kind of plan it can create to make things work within the budget the city has, he said. "Things have got to come together," he said. Moe said turnout for elections with nothing else to go on the ballot, like a primary or general election, tend to be smaller. The smaller turnouts then tend to go on the failing side, he said, which is typical to what he has witnessed unless the election has a large significance. "I totally support the decision," he said. "It is what it is." Halvorson said timing could be a factor in why the vote failed. In recent years, Devils Lake approved a quarter-cent sales tax for the purpose of supporting its park district, a school district bond referendum and an ambulance service tax, he said. "There are going to be some hard decisions and hard conversations coming down the next couple years, so we were trying to get ahead of that," he said. "But, after all those recent community investments the residents of Devils Lake have made, I think it's bad timing." The goal of the proposed tax increase was to fund the city's public safety operations, which have increased over the years. It also would have helped fund public buildings and infrastructure, as well as partially or completely offset a $9 monthly water source replacement fee. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Redding effort to put sales tax hike on ballot gets enough signatures. What now?
A measure to raise the sales tax in the city of Redding by 1% appears headed for the ballot. City Clerk Sharlene Tipton told the Record Searchlight on Tuesday that Shasta County elections officials as of Monday had counted 9,073 signatures and found that 6,120 were valid. The citizens' group that collected the signatures and is backing the measure needed 5,816 verified signatures, which is 10% of the registered voters in Redding, to put the measure on the ballot. Tipton said elections officials still need to count about 600 more signatures. 'Once I receive a certification that the petition is sufficient, we will agendize the item for a regular (City) Council meeting to call a Special Election to occur between 88 and 103 days from the certification pursuant to Elections Code Section 1405,' Tipton said in an email. The group, Citizens for a Better Redding, wants the measure to go on the November ballot. 'I love it. I think we need it in the city. I love that it's a special tax and the money goes to where it's designated,' Dennis Morgan, a Redding realtor and spokesman for the citizens' group, said Tuesday. If the measure gets on the ballot and passes, the sale tax in Redding would go from 7.25% to 8.25%, generating an extra $30 million in annual revenue, City Manager Barry Tippin has said. Tipton said county elections officials on July 1 gave the city results from a 500-count statistical sample that showed about 70% of the signatures were valid. But Tipton and Tippin asked the county to count all 9,657 signatures submitted for the sake of transparency. Redding Vice Mayor Mike Littau expects the call for a special election to be on the council's Aug. 5 agenda. 'I am prepared to honor what the community wants,' Littau said. 'If the community wants (this on the ballot), I will honor the community.' On Monday, Morgan's group announced the Shasta Association of Realtors supports the tax hike. 'This measure is about protecting the future of our community — keeping critical services like public safety, infrastructure and emergency response strong. It ensures the dollars generated here stay here, helping our neighborhoods thrive and keeping our families safe,' Shasta Association of Realtors Board President Kasey Stewart wrote in the letter endorsing the measure. This is the third attempt to raise the sales tax in Redding to help fund quality of life issues such as public safety. This latest effort would need a simple majority to pass and it comes as the city is facing an estimated $5 million budget deficit. Revenue generated from sales tax, property taxes and other sources hasn't for years been enough to keep up with repairs and improvements to streets, buildings, parks and Redding's two airports, Tippin has told the City Council. Annual audits would be done to verify the funds are spent correctly. Too, the city council would appoint people to a citizens advisory committee to provide more oversight. What Redding's proposed sales tax will pay: Roads: 30% spent on maintenance, repairs and improvements. Redding Fire Department: 13% allocated to construction and staffing of ninth fire station, upgrades and improvements to the other fire stations, equipment, and at least 3.5% of the fire department's cut to fire mitigation efforts like fuel reduction. Redding Police Department: 12% allocated to additional staffing, equipment and facilities. Shasta County Sheriff's Office: 12% allocated to address repeat offenders and jail capacity. Browning said the money would specifically go to the new alternative custody campus proposed by Sheriff Michael Johnson. Whether the money goes to the sheriff's office would hinge on an agreement between the city and Shasta County. If no agreement is reached within two years of voter approval, this portion of the money would go to Redding police. Parks: 9% spent on construction, improvements and maintenance, including Redding Sports Park, California Soccer Park, South City Park, Caldwell Park and Panorama Park. Redding Civic Auditorium, Redding Rodeo Grounds: 6% allocated to the former, 3% to the latter. Redding Regional Airport: 5% allocated toward building an additional terminal, staffing and general operations of all airport facilities. Meanwhile, the Shasta County Elections Office is seeking volunteers, poll workers, temporary employees and election observers. 'Since we are moving toward a system that allows every citizen to personally verify the election, some of our processes will now be performed locally rather than farmed out or dependent on technology that cannot be observed. As such, we will have an increased need for workers. We will be returning to paper poll books and the poll pads have been discontinued. Computer knowledge is no longer necessary for most of the positions,' Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis said in a news release. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He's part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding sales tax effort has signatures to trigger special election Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson County Executive Frank White pitches Gov. Kehoe adjusted approach to sales tax extension
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. wrote a letter to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe last week, proposing that the county renew its 3/8-cent sales tax. The sales tax was originally approved by voters in 2006 to fund improvements to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. If renewed, the sales tax would focus on the following three priorities: Modernizing and improving Arrowhead Stadium Restoring and upgrading public safety infrastructure Investing in public health Kansas City man arrested, charged after high-speed boat chase at Lake of the Ozarks 'With the passage of Senate Bill 3, Missouri now has a powerful tool to play a significant role in attracting and retaining professional sports teams—most notably the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals,' White wrote in the letter. Not only would the sales tax go toward modernizing and improving Arrowhead Stadium, White said it would also help the county invest in public health, as well as restore and upgrade the county's public safety infrastructure. Funds from the sales tax would also go toward modernizing the county's juvenile detention facility, according to White. 'The impact of these improvements will be felt well beyond county lines,' White wrote. In the letter, White also addressed the controversy surrounding the Royals' potential relocation: 'I also want to be clear about the Royals: I fully support keeping them in Jackson County. Since the April 2024 vote, the City of Kansas City has taken the lead on identifying a new site and working with the team, and I've respected their desire to do so. At the same time, I've made it clear to the Royals that Jackson County is ready to support the city's efforts and is willing to step back in should the team present a proposal for us to consider or express interest in reengaging. To date, the Royals have not done so.' Kauffman Stadium, which currently benefits from the 3/8-cent sales tax, would not be included as a beneficiary of the renewed sales tax, according to White's letter. White released the following statement Monday afternoon: 'First, it's important to remember that these teams are for-profit, multi-billion dollar businesses. They're always going to look for the best deal for themselves and I can't blame them for that. But my job isn't to work for the teams; my job is to get the best deal for the people of Jackson County. 'Out of respect for the City of Kansas City's publicly stated desire to take the lead in conversations with the Royals, much of our engagement has focused on the Chiefs. At the same time, we remain open to discussions with all parties to ensure Jackson County's interests are fully represented. 'Last and most importantly, Jackson County taxpayers have long carried the overwhelming share of public funding for these teams, historically providing more than 90% of the investment, which currently amounts to over $50 million every year. As we look ahead, our priority is to ensure any new agreement is fair, transparent and reflects the significant commitment our residents continue to make.' The Jackson County executive said he believes this proposal could generate between $500 million and $700 million. He said it offers a clear path to retain the Chiefs, protect taxpayers and deliver long-term public benefit. White also proposed that the sales tax be presented to voters as one ballot question instead of three. He said this would clarify that the renewed tax may be used for more than one related purpose. White also asked the governor to confirm with the director of the Department of Economic Development and the commissioner of the Office of Administration that the sales tax meets the requirements stipulated in Senate Bill 3. The 3/8-cent sales tax is currently set to expire in 2031, which is when the Chiefs' and Royals' leases end. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Frank White prepared to back Chiefs stadium tax — but under these conditions
Frank White sent Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe a letter signaling his preparedness to support a sales tax earmarked for a renovated Arrowhead Stadium. But it comes with significant caveats. White, the Jackson County executive, wrote to Kehoe last week that he would back a 3/8th-cent sales tax extension in the county — but with only one-third of it reserved for an Arrowhead Stadium makeover. In a letter obtained by The Star through an open records request, White lays out a plan to reserve one-third of the tax to upgrade the downtown Jackson County courthouse and the juvenile rehabilitation facility; one-third for capital improvements at University Health, county-owned hospitals in Kansas City; and one-third for upgrades and maintenance for Arrowhead stadium. 'This approach represents exactly the kind of balanced, responsible investment the moment calls for,' White wrote in the letter. A Kehoe spokesperson did not indicate whether the Republican governor supported White's plan in an email to The Star, but she emphasized that local support was necessary for the teams. 'Governor Kehoe appreciates the willingness of Jackson County Executive Frank White to explore options for local investment to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri,' said spokesperson Gabby Picard, who also pointed to issues with Jackson County tax assessments, adding Kehoe 'also believes Jackson County residents deserve certainty for fair and reasonable property tax assessments, which is a critical piece to any Jackson County solution.' The Chiefs declined comment on the letter. But a three-way split is likely a non-starter in any negotiations with the Chiefs, who possess something today they didn't two years ago when their talks with White commenced: Options. The Chiefs are not only pursuing a renovated stadium at the Truman Sports Complex, but they continue to explore the possibility of building a new stadium across the state line. Both Missouri and Kansas have passed competing stadium-incentives packages, and the Chiefs recently successfully persuaded Kansas to extend the deadline for its funding package. The Missouri bill passed last month not only encourages but requires a local source of funding — which is the significance of the letter. While it's long been known the stadium tax measures White does not support, his writing to Kehoe offers the first behind-the-curtain peek of the brand of ballot measure he would promote. 'Governor, I'm aware that some have tried to suggest that I'm opposed to any level of public funding for these teams. That's just not true,' White wrote. 'What I am opposed to is continuing the status quo for another generation.' White's office confirmed the letter but declined further comment. White is facing a recall election, possibly as soon as next month. The Royals are not a party to his proposal to Kehoe. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and his office has been a more active party in the talks with the Royals on proposed sites in Jackson County, most recently Washington Square Park, which is located north of Crown Center and east of Union Station. White says the county is 'ready to support the city's efforts and is willing to step back in should the team present a proposal for us to consider or express interest in reengaging. To date, the Royals have not done so.' If the Royals elects to pursue their original vision of downtown baseball — over options in Kansas or Clay County — that stadium is unlikely to be county-owned. At least one top Missouri lawmaker has suggested that the Royals moving to Clay County would take off 'half the pressure on Jackson County.' Chiefs team president Mark Donovan has consistently said that if the NFL team stays at Arrowhead Stadium, its local funding source would come through the county — which owns the stadiums at the Truman Sports Complex, where the teams are tied through a lease that expires in 2031. For two years, though, White and the Chiefs (and Royals, for that matter) have failed to reach an agreement on what taxpayer support beyond 2031 would entail. White vetoed a combined Chiefs and Royals measure to put a sales tax extension on the ballot before the county legislature overrode him and put the item in front of voters. They rejected it, 58-42%. The Chiefs are unlikely to return to the voters with anything other than a tax reserved for one thing and one thing only. They are adamant about dislodging any confusion from a future ballot question. A three-way chop would also, quite obviously, secure the team less money. For White, that's the idea. For the Chiefs, that would almost certainly be a sticking point, even after they have secured a path toward a significant contribution from the state. The Chiefs and Royals have long split the 3/8th-cent sales tax evenly, but they have separated their stadium plans moving forward — and any future ask of the voters would therefore be separate, too. That's purposeful in the aftermath of last year's rejection at the ballot box. In response to a question from The Star, Donovan said last week the Chiefs would likely target an April 2026 vote if they stay in the county. They estimate a renovated Arrowhead Stadium would cost north of $1 billion. But it's not yet clear what kind of tax they will seek absent sharing it with the Royals. White's request is that other county parties get a cut — 'generational investments in public health and public safety,' he called the proposed tax support for the courthouse, juvenile facility and hospitals. White and the Chiefs reengaged in talks after last year's vote failed, but they have not discussed the matter recently. Instead, Donovan said last week he talked to the county legislature, a signal of the team's potential plans to once again try to gather enough support from the nine-member committee to put the item on the ballot, rather than an avenue through White. In his letter to Kehoe, White sought an amendment to the Missouri sales tax statue to allow for the three-way split for the 3/8th-cent sales tax extension. The state's General Assembly would have to pass that amendment before a vote. The Star's Kacen Bayless contributed to this report.
