Question 1 to further limit tax incentives that can be offered to promote economic development in the city will be the main topic of this month’s SKCA meeting at 6 p.m.Monday, May 13, in the front building of the South Patrol Police Campus, 9701 Marion Park Dr.
Put on the June 18 ballot by an initiative petition drive, Question 1 would prohibit abating or redirecting more than 50 percent of real property taxes as an incentive to attract new businesses and to encourage job growth to the city.
In 2016 the KCMO City Council passed an ordinance that currently limits real property tax abatement as an incentive to attract jobs and businesses to no more than 75 percent for ten years and 37.5 percent for an additional 15 years except in severely distressed areas or for projects with high impact jobs.
Proponents of the measure claim generous tax abatements deprive taxing jurisdictions like school and library districts of revenue required to provide needed services, while opponents claim limiting such incentives even further than the 2016 ordinance did would put KCMO at a competitive disadvantage to neighboring cities that could offer greater incentives to attract business and job growth.
Bruce Eddy, PhD, executive director of the Community Mental Health Fund, will speak in favor of the measure on behalf of the Coalition for Kansas City Economic Development Reform.
Roxsen Koch, a real estate development attorney with the Polsinelli law firm who has represented developers, cities and taxing districts will speak in opposition on behalf of the Committee for KC Jobs.
Also speaking at Monday’s meeting will be Major Daniel Gates, the new commander of the South Patrol Division.
The SKCA greatly values its close relationship with South Patrol and the essential services its officers provide to keep our community safe.
Last year the SKCA presented South Patrol with an Outstanding Public Safety Service Award for its extensive community outreach programs which are continuing with the Division’s recent 2nd annual Health, Wellness & Safety Fair on April 27 and its upcoming free monthly summer movie nights starting Saturday, May 18, with the showing of Mary Poppins Returns.
Complimentary treats at Monday’s event are scheduled to be provided by Justin Clark, the owner of Urban Café, which should soon be opening at a new location at 5500 Troost.
Please scroll through the Upcoming Events to see the many important events that will be taking place in south Kansas City in the near future.
The SKCA is partnering with other community organizations to present a candidate forum for at-large candidates for the KCMO City Council from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at South Broadland Presbyterian Church, 7850 Holmes Rd. All candidates in contested at-large races are expected to attend.
The SKCA is partnering again with such organizations to co-sponsor the Kansas City Star’s community forum for the two candidates for KCMO Mayor at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at Ruskin High School, 7000 E. 111th St.
Biannual Program Returns, MCPL Branches Collect Food Donations for Local Pantries
Greater Kansas City, MO – Mid-Continent Public Library’s biannual Food for Fines program is back! This spring, Food for Fines will be held from Monday, May 6, through Sunday, May 12. During the weeklong initiative, MCPL customers will have the chance to donate nonperishable food items in place of money to pay off overdue fines or replacement card charges.
Customers with no fines or fees can also donate to “pay it forward” toward another customer’s fees. Following the completion of the program, the food will be given to charitable organizations across the Kansas City metro.
MCPL offers the Food for Fines program twice a year—leading into the summer to encourage active participation in the annual Summer Learning Program and in the fall to alleviate any barriers for children seeking homework help and required reading materials at the Library. To date, the Library has collected more than 115,000 items for local charities through its Food for Fines program.
Suggested donations include boxed meals, canned food, peanut butter, cereal, and pasta. Donations must not be expired, damaged, open, non-nutritious, or in a glass, plastic, or cardboard drink container. Each donated food item will count as $1 toward a customer’s fines and fees (up to $10).
Current Food for Fines recipients include:
Blue Ridge Branch Community Assistance Council Grandview Branch Grandview Assistance Program Red Bridge Branch Community Assistance Council
The SKCA meets each month on the second Monday at 6:00 pm at the South Patrol Police Station unless otherwise noted in email notices.
Next SKCA General Meeting:
SKCA General Meeting on Monday, June 10 at 6:00 pm at South Patrol Station.
If you have events for our community calendar, please share for display on our SKCA website calendar and social media channels.
"A coalition of neighborhood organizations, civic, educational and faith institutions, nonprofits and business interests dedicated to a unified vision for South Kansas City."
