I like to learn something everyday. Last week at the KCI Corridor TIF Advisory Committee meeting, someone handed out the projected sales taxes that would be generated by the potential Menard's that could happen on the northeast corner of Route 152 and Green Hills Road.
From that meeting, I learned or was reminded that Platte County assesses a 0.5% (half cent) sales tax for the County's general fund, a 0.5% tax for parks and stormwater improvements, and a 0.375% (3/8ths cent) sales tax for roadway improvements. I never realized there was a half cent sales tax for general fund purposes and didn't know what it's supposed to be used for until someone at the county pointed out that it funds the support departments and helps keep property taxes in the County reasonable.
The parks and stormwater tax was approved in 2000 and paid for some big ticket items which included the YMCA centers in Parkville and Platte City and the Riverside Missouri Riverfront Trail and some trails in Weston and south of Platte City, and parts of the Springs Aquatic Center. It was renewed in 2009 without a specific list of projects to be done over the next 10 years.
The 3/8th cent road tax provided funds for the first phase of improvements to Barry Road under I-29 which was done in 2004, Congress south of Barry Road in front of Park Hill HS, Congress between 152 and Tiffany Springs Parkway, Green Hills between Barry and Route 152, and Barry Road from Weatherby Lake to Hawthorn Elementary. Total County assessment is 1.375%.
KCMO assesses a 1% (full cent) sales tax for capital improvements, a 0.8375% (27/32nds???) sales tax to fund mass transit, a 0.25% (quarter cent) sales tax for firefighters and fire stations, and a 0.25% sales tax for police and police stations. Total KCMO assessment is 2.3375%.
If you want to read a decent editorial on spending 1% on fixing streets, repairing bridges, building flood control, repairing sidewalks, and improving parks in a 317 square mile city while spending 0.8375% on mass transit, James Thomas, who writes for the Platte County Landmark, opined on 2/24/12 and 2/17/12 about the rates of taxation and where the money is spent. Just scroll down a few pages past the national issue posts to find the columns on priorities. Remember that this is a local blog and I don't comment on national issues and refer you to the disclaimer at the top of the page.
I pulled up the state's sales tax rates which show the different rates by counties and cities. I would like to find out what exactly the state assesses since it appears that Jefferson City gets around a total of 4.2% sales tax for specific purposes. I wish Lake Waukomis had a Wal-Mart or Costco. It'd save me $5 every time I made a diaper, waffle, and frozen food run for the family which unfortunately is occurring way too much. I'd also save on gas from having to drive around the Green Hills Road closure!
Wes......you are curious as to what the half cent sales tax is used for. It basically is the only source of funding for the County Of Platte in the General Fund. Out of the General Fund things like the I.T. budget, Dan Erickson's P&Z budget (Storm Water not included), HR, Facilities, many more departments. I say it's basically the only source of funding for Platte because the Mill Levy (Real Estate Tax) is 1 cent per 100 assessed. So if you were to look at your Tax bills (or receipts) you see in the second row where it says, "County" that's money collected for the Platte County cofers . All-in-all the County generates only about $250,000 from Real Estate Taxes.....in other words, if people "ain't" buying stuff (half cent sales tax) Platte County is a hurtin' unit. Here's the link to the budget: http://co.platte.mo.us/docs/auditor/2012/commission_approved_budget_011012.pdf and here are the latest sales tax figures: http://www.co.platte.mo.us/docs/treasurer/pdf/2012/mar2012report.pdf
Posted by: Ted Smith | 04/10/2012 at 02:37 PM