The Parkville Board of Aldermen met Tuesday, May 4 largely in person for the first time in more than a year, with the bulk of aldermen present — and separated by plexiglass partitions — in city hall.
The board postponed approval of a ballot measure seeking approval of establishment of a two percent use tax on out-of-state purchases. While the board planned to approve ballot language last week, city administrator Joe Parente suggested the city wait until after the end of the Missouri legislative session, to see if any bills related to internet use tax pass. The session will end Friday, May 14, well before the deadline to put a ballot measure on the August ballot. There is a possibility the state could make changes that would force the city into running the ballot measure twice. To avoid confusion and excess costs, Parente suggested the city wait two weeks before finalizing ballot language.
Alderman Dave Rittman recalled that a use tax measure was placed on the ballot less than a decade ago, and it failed. He suggested the city ensure the public is made aware that revenue would be used to fund city services.
“I don’t view this as an additional tax – I view this as a bleed on the businesses that already have a presence here,” Johnston said.
Alderman Doug Wiley said the citizens need to be educated on what a use tax actually means, and how the funds collected will be used. Platte County itself, Kansas City and Platte City already collect use taxes.
The board voted to postpone the final decision until the May 18 meeting.
The city also created a “diversity and inclusion commission,” a first of its kind for the city. In the wake of violence across the nation last year, aldermen reached out to the community to create a standing committee to address these needs. Aldermen Phil Wassmer and Brian Whitley spearheaded the effort to create the new advisory commission.
Whitley said he researched other communities with similar programs within the Mid-America Regional Council, and hoped this would open the doors to some collaborative training and education with other metro area municipalities.
The commission will be made up of five members appointed by the mayor and approved by the board of aldermen. Whitley said there has already been tremendous interest in the community from people willing to serve.