IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION offering support for the Kansas City, Missouri initiative to renew the earnings tax.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 19056, January 19, 2016
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, on April 5, 2016, Kansas City voters will decide whether to renew the Kansas City earnings tax for the next five years; and,
WHEREAS, loss of the earnings tax would eliminate a significant revenue source for the City of Kansas City, resulting in a decrease of $230 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, a “no” vote on the earnings tax would result in the loss of 810 uniformed police and 550 firefighters, more than half the forces of both departments, and a 30 percent reduction in the city workforce, a loss of about 2,240 jobs; 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, in 2011, Kansas City voters turned out with 78 percent approval for the earnings tax and are encouraged to again support this essential source of funding for basic city services; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature pledges its support for the renewal 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 No. 19056 of January 19, 2016, was duly passed on January 19, 2016 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________7__________ Nays _________0__________
Abstaining ______0_________ Absent _________0_________
Excused ________1_________
______________________ _________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature