Floor Amendment
August 26, 2013
IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County at a special election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, a question authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax at the rate of one-half of one percent for a period of twenty years for the purpose of promoting economic development by establishing a medical research and development institute, in collaboration with Children's Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke's Health System, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 4551, August 12, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Greg Grounds, Theresa Garza Ruiz, and Dennis Waits, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute have identified the area of translational medical research as a key opportunity for the Kansas City/Jackson County region; and,
WHEREAS, translational medical research is the critical phase of the discovery and development of disease cures that occurs between the microscope and the marketplace, or that follows the birth of a basic scientific discovery made in the laboratory but precedes the clinical trial phase of a new therapy; and,
WHEREAS, an investment in translational research and translational medicine can lead to cures for rare and known diseases and result in economic development and job opportunities for citizens of Jackson County and the region; and,
WHEREAS, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, through an extensive community process, identified translational medicine as one of the Big 5 areas that would improve the long-term outlook for the region and its citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the Kansas City/Jackson County region occupies a key national position with world class expertise in basic research, one of the nation's strongest clinical trials sectors, and existing strengths in translational medical research at research organizations such as the University of Missouri-Kansas City, The Children's Mercy Hospital, and Saint Luke's Health System; and,
WHEREAS, section 67.1305, RSMo Supp. 2012, authorizes Jackson County to impose, if approved by a vote of the people, a sales tax at a rate of not more than one-half of one percent for economic development purposes, which would include the development of translational medicine in the County through the activities of County-based research organizations; and,
WHEREAS, the activities contemplated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated August 26, 2013, and Jackson County Translational Medicine Operational and Governance Overview dated August 26, 2013, attached hereto and made a part hereof will cause economic development and job opportunity in the County; and,
WHEREAS, as described in the attached Overview, the revenue from the sales tax will be used solely for the purposes outlined in the Overview, and shall be segregated from all other County funds; and,
WHEREAS, the discoveries which occur as a result of these research activities will result in commercialized ventures, the net revenues of which will be shared with Jackson County for purposes of improved health care and job creation; and,
WHEREAS, research organizations have engaged in the discussions as to the process and collaborative activities necessary to achieve results of drug and device discovery leading to cures for the population of our region and the nation, including expanding the research currently being performed on illnesses that affect the minority community in Jackson County, and resulting in the commercialization of new products and the start-up of new companies; and,
WHEREAS, to ensure equal access for Jackson County residents to all jobs, notices will be posted throughout Jackson County, including publication in such publications and with organizations as the Jackson County Advocate, the Independence Examiner, the Lee's Summit Journal, the Call, the Globe, Dos Mundos, the Hispanic News, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the Black Health Care Coalition, and St. Mark Child and Family Development Center; and,
WHEREAS, all appointees to boards and commissions created pursuant to this initiative, with the exception of the Translational Medicine Institute Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board, shall be Jackson County residents; and,
WHEREAS, the use of the County's 20% "carried interest," referred to in the Memorandum of Understanding and Overview, shall be subject to approval by the County Legislature for the purposes specified in the MOU and other lawful purposes; and,
WHEREAS, this research can best be funded with a countywide sales tax at the rate of one-half of one percent (1/2%) for a period of twenty years; and,
WHEREAS, this tax is in the best interest of the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of Jackson County; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section1. Subject to approval by the voters of the County, the levy of a retailers' sales tax in the amount of one-half (1/2) of one cent (.5%), is hereby authorized for and within Jackson County, Missouri.
Section 2. Pursuant to the provisions of section 67.1305, RSMo, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at a special election to be held on November 5, 2013, a question authorizing the imposition of a retail sales tax of one-half of one percent (1/2%), for the purpose of promoting economic development by establishing a medical research and development institute, including the reimbursement to the County for the costs of the election out of the proceeds from the first quarter collected.
Section 3. The qualified voters at said election shall vote by ballot and the ballots to be used at said election shall contain the following language:
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
QUESTION NO. 1
SPECIAL ELECTION
NOVEMBER 5, 2013
OFFICIAL BALLOT
Shall the County of Jackson impose a sales tax at the rate of one-half of one percent for a period of 20 years solely for the purpose of promoting economic development by establishing a medical research and development institute in collaboration with and governed by an independent board composed of Children's Mercy Hospital, Saint Luke's Hospital, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, and Jackson County, that would create healthcare related jobs in the County and develop medical cures and discoveries for human diseases? All of the proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in a special account separate from the Jackson County general fund and any other special funds and utilized only for the purposes approved by the voters and set forth herein. An annual independent audit of these funds will be overseen by an oversight and audit board appointed by the County Executive and will be reported to the public and the Jackson County Legislature.
YES □
NO □
If you are in favor of the question, place an "x" in the box opposite "Yes." If you are opposed to the question, place an "x" in the box opposite "No."
Section 4. This Ordinance shall be published as required by law.
Section 5. The Clerk of the Legislature is hereby authorized and directed to notify the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners and the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners of the adoption of this Ordinance no later than August 27, 2013, by 5:00 p.m., and to include in said notification all the terms and provisions required by Section 115.125, RSMo.
Section 6. The County Executive is hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of Jackson County, the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) so that Jackson County is made a full party to the MOU. The activities of the Jackson County Translational Medicine Institute shall be governed by the Missouri open meetings laws, as well as Jackson County Fair Share policies.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ _______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached Ordinance, Ordinance No. 4551 introduced on August 12, 2013, was duly passed on August 26, 2013 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________7______ Nays ______2________
Abstaining _____0______ Absent _____0_______
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
______________________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 4551.
_______________________ ________________________________
Date Michael D. Sanders, County Executive