Fairfax Businesses – Would you like to get your thoughts heard about challenges running a business with local, city and state legislation/taxes? The KCK Chamber has a Legislative group. This is where you can voice your concerns or ideas about how local, city and state legislation effects your day to day operations as a business. The chamber has a lobbyist to help address our concerns.
They want to hear from businesses. Please take the time to attend this meeting:
KCK Chamber Legislative Committee Meeting
Friday, May 11, 2018
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Breidenthal Board Room
727 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
Click here for calendar event >>
What are your thoughts on this sales tax retiring or renewing?
Please attend this meeting so we can hear from the business community.
Email Melissa Clark, FIA Executive Director, if you plan to attend at execdir@fiakck.org
Meeting Agenda: Some items covered for this meeting:
UG Commission Asks KCK Residents to Renew
Public Safety and Neighborhood Infrastructure Sales Tax
The Unified Government Board of Commissioners are asking residents to renew the 10-year Public Safety and Neighborhood Infrastructure Sales Tax when they vote in the August 7 Primary Election.
KCK voters approved the 3/8-cent Public Safety and Neighborhood Infrastructure Sales Tax in April 2010 with 70% of the vote. The tax will expire in July 2020 unless voters decide to continue it.
Voting to renew the tax will continue critical funding for public safety and neighborhood projects without requiring a tax increase. The 2018 Community Survey shows citizens place a high priority on public safety and infrastructure improvements.
In 2018, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Infrastructure Sales Tax will generate $10-million, with 35% spent on the KCK Fire Department, 35% spent on the KCK Police Department and 30% spent on neighborhood improvement projects. Over its 10-year life, the sales tax will have raised $80-million for critical public safety operations and neighborhood infrastructure projects. In addition to purchasing new fire trucks, police cars and other public safety equipment, the sales tax pays for 25 firefighters and 25 police officers. Neighborhood improvement projects include, streets, curbs, sidewalks and parks.
The 3/8-cent sales tax is paid on all retail sales in KCK. A significant portion of those sales are made in the Village West area, which means millions of tourists and shoppers from Johnson County, Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita, Missouri and other states are helping support KCK Police, Fire and Public Works.
While the 3/8-cent tax generates millions of dollars, it adds a few cents to everyday purchases. For example, the tax on a $15 pizza amounts to 6-cents; it adds 38-cents to a $100 grocery bill; and 8-cents to the cost of a $20 shirt.
The Unified Government Commission reviews and votes on how the money will be spent as part of the annual budget process. However, all of the sales tax revenue must be spent on public safety and neighborhood improvement projects.
A yes vote means this critical funding, generating $10-million a year, will continue to support Public Safety operations and Neighborhood Infrastructure projects without a tax increase.
A no vote means the $10-million a year will disappear and budgets for Public Safety, Neighborhood improvement projects and other services the Unified Government provides will face drastic cuts. A property tax increase would be the only way to make-up the loss of the sales tax revenue.
For more information about the KCK Public Safety and Neighborhood Infrastructure Sales Tax go to the Unified Government website at www.wycokck.org.