Legislators table Chiefs-only sales tax ordinance in Jackson County once again
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Time is running out to get Arrowhead Stadium renovations back on the ballot. Two Chiefs-only sales tax ordinances have been stuck in Jackson County legislative committee for weeks and their sponsor is tired of waiting.
At Tuesday’s county Finance and Audit Committee meeting, 1st District Legislator Manny Abarca clashed with Legislature Vice Chairman and 3rd District At-Large Legislator Megan Marshall when she announced the two ordinances would be held in committee at the request of a majority of the commission.
“The Governor weighed in on this item last week after his meeting with the County Executive, as well as other local elected officials,” said Marshall. “So, I think it is in the best interest of the county -- for lack of better words -- stand down right now until we learn what other financial implications are there to benefit directly the residents of this county. The Governor alluded to some options that may be there, so I think as a professional courtesy that we should not get out in front of ourselves and let the Governor do what he does.”
Marshall continued by saying they should allow Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, County Executive Frank White Jr., and the teams to work out a deal and legally binding CBA. Ahead of the decision to hold the ordinances in committee, there was discussion about the amount of money the stadiums generate for the state and Kansas City compared to the amount each contributes.
READ MORE: Missouri governor begins conversations with Kansas City leaders to keep Chiefs, Royals in state
“I think part of our job as legislators and as county administration is to hopefully equalize or balance that by getting larger contributions from our other government entities,” said 6th District Legislator Sean Smith. “The state historically has generated about $50 million a year out of the stadiums. They’ve contributed about $3 (million). The city has gotten about $12 million a year in direct tax revenue. They’ve contributed about $2 million a year. While the county is putting in $30, $40, $50 million per year and getting back only a couple million.”
Smith said for that reason, he is not comfortable putting the sales tax on the ballot. He wants answers from the state and Kansas City on if they would be willing to up their contributions.
This comes after Parson came to Kansas City last week to sign an unrelated bill, but to also discuss keeping the teams in the city with some local elected leaders.
In the county legislative meeting, Abarca voiced concerns of not knowing enough about the conversation between Parson and the elected officials he spoke to.
“The Governor didn’t clearly state that he’s working on it, that he’s taking it back and bringing us something,” said Abarca. “So, I think that if we do truly want to have a conversation, whether that’s here, in the public body, or even in closed session to talk about some specifics, that might be the best place for it.”
With a quickly approaching deadline to get an ordinance on the November ballot, Abarca also called for the county legislature to speak directly to the state legislature about the issue.
“It’s something that I don’t take lightly, but the reality is it’s clear that the chair of the Finance and Audit Committee has no interest in taking up these actions,” said Abarca. “It was clear from a report from the Executive’s office that there was some misinformation as to where exactly the work is to be done.”
Legislature Chairman and 5th District Legislator Jeanie Lauer said she would take it under consideration and see what the next appropriate step would be.
The next county legislative meeting is Monday, July 22 at 3 p.m.
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