Animal Shelter, Marijuana and More: Vote on April 4th

Tomorrow Kansas Citians have the opportunity to vote. In many ways, this local election will affect our day-to-day lives more than the Presidential election last fall.

The ballot includes issues like:

Our streets, sidewalks and bridges
Flood control projects
KC Pet Project and the American Disabilities Act
Economic development on the east side
A reduced penalty for marijuana charges

We are notoriously bad at voting. Out of the 35 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we rank 31st in terms of how many of our eligible voters show up to the polls.

So make a plan to vote (literally, put it on your calendar) and review the issues so you can be informed.

I can’t tell you where or when to go tomorrow, but I can help you prepare.

Review the ballot: Kansas City’s Sample Ballot can be found here and is also listed below.
Know the issues: You can learn more about each issue in the Kansas City Star or on Ballotpedia.

Take an active role in our community and make your voice heard by voting tomorrow.

Kansas City Sample Ballot School and Special Election April 4, 2017

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 (RAYTOWN) FOR DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Plank
Rick Moore
Terry E. Landers
Dorothy Tucker Roberts
Alonzo Burton

REORGANIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 (LEE’S SUMMIT) FOR DIRECTOR

Jacqueline (Jackie McEntire) Clark
Dennis D. Smith
Susan D. Coffman
Kim Fritchie
Carl J. Quijas
Mark Dziedzix
Ryan M. Murdock
Diego Gutierrez
Michael W. McMenus
Jill Marie Worstell
Mark S. Augustin

CITY OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI SPECIAL BOND ELECTION

Question No. 1

(Basic capital infrastructure Streets, Bridges, and Sidewalks)

Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $600,000,000.00 for the purpose of paying for the construction and reconstruction of streets, bridges, and sidewalks?

The authorization of the bonds will authorize the City to maintain tangible property tax rates sufficient to pay the interest and principal on the bonds until fully paid.

Yes or No

Question No. 2

(Basic capital infrastructure Flood Control)

Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000.00 for the purpose of paying for the acquisition, construction, equipping and reconstruction of flood control projects including, but not limited to, projects partially funded with Federal grants?

The authorization of the bonds will authorize the City to maintain tangible property tax rates sufficient to pay the interest and principal on the bonds until fully paid.

Yes or No

Question No. 3

(Basic capital infrastructure Public Buildings and Structures)

Shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000.00 for the purpose of paying for the acquisition, construction, equipping and improving of public buildings, facilities, and structures including, but not limited to, the Animal Shelter and for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to public buildings and structures?

The authorization of the bonds will authorize the City to maintain tangible property tax rates sufficient to pay the interest and principal on the bonds until fully paid.

Yes or No

Question No. 4

(Initiative Petition)

(Central City Economic Development Sales Tax)

SHALL THE FOLLOWING BE APPROVED?

Shall the City of Kansas City impose a sales tax authorized by Section 67.1305 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri for a period of 10 years at a rate of 1/8% to be used for funding economic development projects within the area bounded by 9th Street on the north; Gregory Boulevard on the south; The Paseo on the west; and Indiana Avenue on the east, which may include the retirement of debt under previously authorized bonded indebtedness or to repay bonds not yet issued?

Yes or No

Question No. 5

(Initiative Petition)

(Reduction of Penalties for Possession or Control of Marijuana and Paraphernalia)

SHALL THE FOLLOWING BE APPROVED?

Shall the City of Kansas City limit the authorized punishment that can be imposed in the Municipal Court for the possession or control of 35 grams or less of marijuana to a maximum $25 fine, eliminate jail as a potential punishment for the possession or control of marijuana, and remove marijuana from the prohibition against drug paraphernalia?

Yes or No

SPECIAL BOND ELECTION CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4 (GRANDVIEW)

Shall the Board of Education of the Consolidated School District No. 4 of Jackson County, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) for the purpose of completing renovation, remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities of the District including, without limitation, fire safety upgrades, safety and security upgrades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements, window and roof replacement where necessary, parking lot improvements, classroom and restroom renovations, athletic facility upgrades, musical instrument replacement; and issue bonds for the payment thereof?

If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.80 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

Yes or No

SPECIAL BOND ELECTION INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Shall The School District of the City of Independence, Missouri borrow money in the amount of $38,000,000 for the purpose of constructing, renovating, improving, furnishing and equipping school facilities of the District, including:

constructing and equipping a new elementary school; and
completing facility maintenance and improvement projects at Truman, Van Horn, and William Chrisman High Schools,

and issue bonds for the payment thereof resulting in no increase to the debt service levy?

If this question is approved, the debt service levy of the District is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.2430 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property.

Yes or No