What is County Question 1?
County Question 1 is a proposal to enact a 1/4 cent sales tax in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas and Jackson, Clay and Platte Counties in Missouri, for the purpose of funding the modernization of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums at the Truman Sports Complex, and for funding regional and local arts programs throughout the metropolitan area, as well as funding a portion of the cost of constructing a performing arts center downtown.
How much will this sales tax cost the average citizen?
Only $1 of every $400 you spend will be dedicated to the sales tax.
Why not use these funds to build a new ballpark stadium downtown?
Modernization of Kauffman Stadium will cost $180 million, far less than $450 million to build a new stadium downtown. With interest over 30 years, the total cost would add up to $950 million. Additionally, it would leave an empty, deteriorating stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.
Why don't only people who go to the Chiefs and Royals games pay for the improvements to the stadiums instead of taxpayers?
The Truman Sports Complex is a metropolitan asset that is publicly owned and like any other public facility, it is the responsibility of taxpayers to make major improvements. These structures are 32 years old and improvements need to be make to the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. The concourses need to be expanded and additional restrooms and concession stands need to be added.
Who will manage the improvements to the stadiums?
The Truman Sports Complex is owned by Jackson County. The Jackson County Sports Authority manages the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the stadiums. It is the "landlord." The Governor of Missouri appoints members of the Sports Authority and its current Chairman is Dick Berkley, former Mayor of Kansas City. A Metropolitan Stadium Improvements Board, comprised of citizens from both states, will oversee stadium improvements.
Will the revenue generated from this tax increase profits for the Chiefs and Royals in any way?
No. The teams will not receive any of the revenue from the tax directly, it will be dedicated to capital improvements at the stadiums.
Will Union Station receive any of the funds from Question 1?
Union Station will not automatically receive funding form the cultural sales tax. It will have to apply and complete with other organizations for an arts grant.
What kind of accountability is built into this proposal?
This is more accountability in this proposal than any other local issue in recent history. A Metropolitan Stadium Improvements Board, comprised of citizens from both states, will oversee funding of the stadium improvements. Grant proposals for receiving arts funding will be reviewed by citizen's advisory committees in the participating counties and a regional citizen's advisory committee, made up of an equal amount of citizens from both states. The Kansas and Missouri Metropolitan Cultural District Commission, which is constituted under Missouri and Kansas laws, will make the final funding decision for arts grants.
When does the sales tax become effective?
April 1, 2005
How much is the current sales tax?
It varies, depending on the state, county and municipality in which you reside.
Will the sales tax be subject to any municipal, county or state TIF, Super TIF, Modessa, or Star Bond financing?
The revenue raised by this sales tax will only be used for stadium improvements and the arts, except in Wyandotte County, where the revenue generated in Village West would be subject to Star Bond financing.
How long will the tax last?
It will expire when $360 million in bonds to modernize the stadiums are retired, estimated to be 12 to 15 years.
Are interest rates on the bonds included in the $360 million?
No. $360 million is the principal amount of the bonds. Depending on interest rates and rate of economic growth, interest on the bonds will range from $113 million to $245 million. The likely amount is $182 million.
Will Jackson County residents still have priority in purchasing Chiefs tickets if this sales tax is approved by voters in other counties?
Citizens in every county that pass the Bi-State sales tax on the November ballot will have priority seating status for Chiefs tickets if they approve the sales tax. Previously, only Jackson County residents had first opportunity to buy the tickets left over after season ticket packages were sold. However, since the other participating counties will be sharing in the support of these facilities, they will also receive priority.
Does County Question 1 replace the city and county taxes already going to the stadiums, or is this an additional tax?
While local and state governments contribute to the ongoing maintencance costs at the stadiums, there is no specific tax for this purpose. These contributions will continue to assure that the facility remains state-of-the-art after the improvements are made.
If County Question 1 does not replace the existing revenues, why would the Jackson County ticket preference be ended?
Many Kansas City residents who live in Clay and Platte Counties currently support the Sports Complex through their state and city revenue, so extending the preference to those counties as well as to the new Kansas counties who participate in the Metropolitan Cultural Fund only seems equitable and in the true spirit of metro-wide cooperation. Think BIG!
Will the Metro Sports Improvements Board have authority over the daily operation of the sports complex, or just the items funded by Question 1?
The Metro Sports Improvements Board will have oversight of the funds used to pay for the Sports Complex improvements, not day to day operations of the facilities, most of which are handled by the teams anyway. The MSIB will have members from all participating counties.
Is there a list of arts organizations that can apply for regional arts funds?
No. Application to both the regional and county portions of the Metropolitan Cultural Fund will be a completely open process, with each organization determining the best fund fro their grant request. If an organization can demonstrate that they serve residents from more than one participating county, they can apply for regional funds.
How will the County Capital Fund for arts be spent?
Each year, the Metropolitan Culture District Commission will allocate $5 million to the County Capital Fund. Half of this fund will pay for project in Missouri, half in Kansas. The County Citizens Advisory Committees in state and the Regional Citizens Advisory Committee will review grant requests for the capital fund and make recommendations to the Metropolitan Culture District Commission for the use of the capital funds. The $2.5 million allocated to each state could be spent each year, or it could accumulate and be spent on larger capital projects after a couple of years. The timing of how the funds will be spent will be determined by the Metropolitan Culture District Commission.
How much money will my county government receive from the tax?
All money collected for the Metropolitan Culture District has to be spent by the Metropolitan Culture District Commission. The county governing bodies participate in the decision making for money and will not receive the county funds directly. Once the decision is made on what county organizations, activities or facilities will receive funding, the Metropolitan Culture District Commission will pay the funds directly to the recipient.
How was the Metropolitan Cultural Fund developed?
The Metropolitan Cultural Fund was designed by the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City through a four year, comprehensive process of gathering input from stakeholders, elected officials, civic leaders and the citizens of our region. The goals of the fund are what the citizens in our region said that they wanted.
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