In a unanimous vote before a packed house Platte County Commissioners refused to levy the new children’s mental health tax approved by voters last month.
The Monday, Dec. 16 meeting stretched out for about two hours, with the bulk of the meeting devoted to the last item on the agenda – the county’s order to not implement the sales tax approved in the Nov. 6 general election. The tax proposal was brought to the ballot as part of a petition initiative after efforts to persuade commissioners to place it on the ballot themselves failed.
In the Nov. 6 general election, more than 56 percent of voters approved the petition initiative.
County attorney Rob Redman reported that due to the language in state statute, that said the county commission “may” levy the tax. This language implies the commission may chose to not levy the tax. RSMO 67.1775 states, “The governing body of a city not within a county, or any county of this state may, after voter approval under this section, levy a sales tax not to exceed one-quarter of a cent in the county or city, or city not within a county, for the purpose of providing services described in section 210.861, including counseling, family support, and temporary residential services to persons 19 years of age or less.”
Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker said he had received 29 emails about the mental health care tax, with another 15 sent to the county clerk. The Monday meeting was standing-room-only with more than a dozen speakers coming to the podium.
Former commissioners John Elliott and Ron Schieber spoke in support of the commission’s action. Elliott said the children’s tax proposal was poorly written and contained little oversight of the new mental health board – which would be appointed by the county commission.
“Once the commission levies the tax it’s forever.” Schieber said.
Dr. Michael Shafe, who serves on the board for the Platte County Health Department and the Board for the Developmentally Disabled, had a more complex viewpoint on the subject.
“I’m in support of it, but I’m not in support of uncontrolled spending,” he said, stating the new program needed a more defined scope and oversight.
Most Platte Countians in attendance were in support of the children’s mental health tax and frustrated with the commission’s actions. Most asked why they bothered to vote if the commission was going to deny the will of the people. Some shared personal stories of the children of family and friends who died by suicide or through overdoses exacerbated by mental health issues.
85-year-old Mary Bay worked as a court-appointed advocate for abused children and supports the tax. She said it didn’t have to do with parties or labels, only humanity.
“If we turn our backs on the most precious and vulnerable, what does that say about us?” Bay said.
Several speakers pointed out this is not a novel concept, as Clay and Jackson counties both have established children’s mental health funds, governed by boards. Those counties have successful programs funded by tax funds and the Platte County fund would be patterned after the existing programs.
Sherry Kisker, who worked for the Platte County Health Department, saw first-hand the struggles of youth in Platte County.
“Prior to 2012 youth suicide ideology was almost unheard of,” Kisker said. “In 2017 we had six youths die by suicide.”
Missouri Rep. Ashley Aune spoke in support of the will of the people.
“Rejecting the will of the voters undermines the faith of the voters in this system, in you as commissioners and in our entire democracy,” Aune said. “You were elected to represent your constituents and they told you loud and clear what they wanted.”
During his comments, Fricker disagreed that the majority of constituents wanted the tax. He agreed that the majority who voted in the election supported the tax, but said it affects everyone. Those that voted in favor represent less than 30 percent of Platte County’s total population.
“I’m speaking here today for the other 70 percent,” he said. “In my opinion, the 30 percent that hopes to impose this new tax on everyone else does not represent the majority of Platte County residents, who I believe do not want new taxes like this one. They support taxes that benefit the general population, like the law enforcement, roads, and parks taxes that we have in place today, but they don’t want new taxes that serve special interests, as this proposed new tax would do.”
The tax had a long and contentious road to this point, as the Platte County 4 Kids Coalition submitted approximately 8,400 signatures to the Platte County Clerk’s Office in June to place a quarter-cent sales tax initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot. The signature delivery was the culmination of a multi-organizational effort to create a children’s services fund in Platte County.
According to Platte County 4 Kids, establishing a Children’s Services Fund in Platte County would expand mental health and suicide prevention services for tens of thousands of children and teens in Platte County.
The 2022 Missouri Student Survey revealed that nearly 9% of participating Platte County students had seriously considered suicide, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among 10 to 24-year-olds in Missouri.
The effort has been spearheaded by area nonprofits such as Beacon Mental Health and Synergy Services, with the support of businesses in the area, as well as Platte County school districts and the Northland Regional Chamber.