Voters have approved seven special revenue sales taxes for things like transit, public safety and infrastructure. But taxes collected on online purchases from out-of-state retailers bypass those uses in the city budget.
Local Government
Wyandotte County greenlights STAR bond participation for proposed Chiefs stadium
Commissioners voted 7–3 to authorize a local tax pledge after being warned a no vote could cost the county leverage in stadium negotiations and state-funded bridge repairs.
KC advances lead pipe inspections and trail projects as KCATA fares set to return
Council members approved a $1.87 million state grant to inventory and inspect lead pipe water service lines, launching pilot efforts in Columbus Park and Lykins.
Platform Ventures got Port KC tax incentives to build a warehouse. Now they’re selling it to ICE
Platform Ventures pitched a warehouse development as a job creator for south Kansas City. Port KC is concerned that a sale to ICE would undermine job growth in the area.
Unified Government approves up to $450 million in local sales taxes for Chiefs stadium
The deal will divert future sales tax revenue to help support a $3.3 billion stadium and entertainment district.
With no-masks proposal, Jackson County joins push to restrain ICE
The Department of Homeland Security insists masking protects federal law enforcement from doxing and physical attacks.
‘Everyone is worried’: Battle brews over how Kansas City spends health levy dollars
The property tax that generates about $70 million annually is meant to benefit the city’s poorest patients. It’s about to come under closer scrutiny.
Proposed Wyandotte data centers require a lot of power: Will that increase your bill?
Data centers could triple Wyandotte County’s power demand. BPU says it can serve data centers without higher utility bills for other ratepayers, but that hasn’t been the case in other markets.
City Plan Commission advances World Cup signage rules
The amendment allows temporary building signage for major events, up to 80,000 square feet. The commission also approved plans for a bond project at New Mark Middle School.
Peeling back layers of the Country Club Plaza redevelopment deal
A bargain-basement price. A property tax break. An infrastructure incentive. And a property assessment appeal. The Plaza’s new owners have pushed several financial levers to craft a potentially lucrative redevelopment plan.