IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION offering support for the Kansas City, Missouri initiative to preserve the earnings tax.
Intro
RESOLUTION #17510, February 14, 2011
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams, Theresa Garza Ruiz, James D. Tindall, and Scott Burnett, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, on April 5, 2011, Kansas City voters will decide whether to continue the Kansas City earnings tax for the next five years; and,
WHEREAS, loss of the earnings tax would eliminate a significant revenue source for Kansas City, resulting in a decrease of $200.6 million in revenue to Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, the earnings tax funds essential services for the citizens of Kansas City and Jackson County, including police and fire protection, snow removal, traffic light and street repair, sanitation, medical and emergency care, and social services for low-income families and children; and,
WHEREAS, the earnings taxes levied are the only way that Kansas City has to spread among the region's residents the cost of providing city services and amenities that serve the entire region such as the Kansas City Zoo and the Liberty Memorial; and,
WHEREAS, the loss of funds provided by the Kansas City earnings tax would impose greater taxes on Kansas City residents by forcing the entire tax burden of providing basic services and regional amenities to be carried by Kansas City residents alone and increase the strain on resources provided by Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, loss of the earnings tax could lead to the elimination of a significant source of revenue for the Kansas City general fund, but does not authorize any replacement revenue sources and presents no realistic expectations that an increase in property or sales taxes would fill the void; and,
WHEREAS, numerous community, civic, and labor organizations have announced their support for the Kansas City earnings tax, citing concerns for the impact this initiative could have on our community, including the poorest segments who are already suffering the financial strain brought by the current economic climate; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature pledges its support for the continuation of the Kansas City earnings tax and endorses all efforts to educate the public about the consequences of eliminating the earnings tax.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution #17510 of February 14, 2011, was duly passed on February 14, 2011 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________5__________ Nays __________1_________
Abstaining _______1________ Absent ________2__________
______________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature