KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City Health Department ordinance that would impose more fees on landlords will not be on a special election ballot in November.
It was shot down 4-1 at Wednesday's council Housing Committee meeting.
The ordinance would ramp up inspections on rental properties, slap on an annual $25 permit application fee per parcel, a $150 reinspection fee, and more.
"This is targeting the landlords. I appreciate the spirit of what they're trying to do. Unfortunately, I do believe that the people like myself that are already following the rules will be penalized," Jennifer Langston said, who owns hundreds of rental units across Kansas City.
Many landlords came to the meeting to staunchly oppose the ordinance.
One man said, "Owning single-family residences, having 31 one of them, 31 different parcels, would be $775. I don't consider that to be very equitable."
Many brought up concerns with more inspections and how it would violate tenants' rights.
The Health Department cited increasing complaints on rental housing conditions.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner, who worked to get the ordinance in front of voters, said it'll help the city hold slumlords accountable, and is essential to keeping families in healthy living conditions.
"The problem still exists; a problem will persist. And we're going to look at all our other options and see what we can do to move forward on this issue," Wagner said.
The Housing Committee will take up the issue at its next meeting. The date for the next committee meeting will be set on Thursday, August 24.
