KC voters pass parks tax, sewer bonds

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved Questions 1 and 2 on Tuesday’s ballot.

The first will impose a half-cent sales tax for parks and streets in exchange for the elimination of vehicle-renewal fees and several property taxes, while the second will authorize $500 million in new sewer bonds.

Question 1 passed with 63 percent of the vote in favor and 37 percent opposed. Question 2 passed with an even greater margin – 80 percent yes to 20 percent no.

Mayor Sly James said the votes show that the people of Kansas City can make wise decisions, even in tough times.

Question 2 had little to no public opposition leading up to Tuesday's vote. The mayor said residents will have to pay for the multi-billion dollar sewer project one way or another.  Because voters approved Question 2, he says the city will be able to better moderate future rate increases.

Question 1 has a little more opposition to the idea of raising taxes during a struggling economy, but the mayor says the city's problems are only going to get worse, and now is the time to act.

"We aren't an administration that's going to kick the can down the road and wait for somebody else to clean it up," James said. "The people of this city understand the need to address our maintenance issues, our parks issues, all the things we've neglected for years."

The mayor also emphasized that Tuesday's vote will result in thousands of jobs for the city.