Last week, Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker joined with Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte to issue a joint statement regarding the upcoming November election.
“Kansas City citizens will be asked to vote yes on Question No. 1 (Public Bus Transit System) on Nov. 7 to approve a continuation of the current 3/8 cent sales tax. The projected $421 million raised over 10 years will go to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners who spends those funds on area transportation needs, including buses.
“Missouri Statute (238.060) authorizes Clay and Platte Counties each to have one seat on the KCATA Board of Commissioners. Clay and Platte County Commissions each submit a panel of three persons to the Mayor of Kansas City, who shall appoint, with the approval of the city council, one person from each county’s list. However, the Mayor of Kansas City has instead ignored recommendations from both counties and has seated commissioners of his choosing. (One of the appointments made by the Kansas City Mayor is a city employee, which raises concerns about the independence of the KCATA Board and the undue influence of the Kansas City mayor.)
“As a result of the mayor’s actions, the citizens of Clay and Platte Counties do not have proper representation on the KCATA Board of Commissioners. And more importantly, by not following the lawful procedure under state statute, Clay and Platte County citizens are being taxed without proper representation as required by the law. Clay and Platte voters should ask, ‘Without proper representation, will Northland taxpayers get their fair share of tax revenue and KCATA services?’
“Before Northlanders vote to extend this tax, Kansas City should comply with the law and appoint members to the KCATA Board of Commissioners as required by Missouri Statute. On Nov. 7, Clay and Platte Kansas Citians should consider whether or not to support this taxation without the legitimate representation as guaranteed to us by law.”