Nance: Taxation and the Kansas City Zoo

“If you're hanging around with nothing to do and the zoo is closed, come over to the Senate. You'll get the same kind of feeling and you won't have to pay.” –Robert J. Dole

Taxation and the Kansas City Zoo

The November 8th election will soon be on us.

In 2010 the legislature passed CCS SCS HCS HB 2297.

KANSAS CITY ZOOLOGICAL DISTRICT: This bill authorized the establishment of the Kansas City Zoological District. The voters of the counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte may choose to have their county be a part of the district. Each member county may impose, upon voter approval, a sales tax of up to 0.25% for the financial support of zoological activities within the district. However, the tax will not be effective in the counties of Cass, Clay, or Platte unless Jackson County also collects the tax.

The claim is the 1/8 cent sales tax on the ballot will help make the Kansas City Zoo a better attraction. Should we be funding the zoo? Is there an economic benefit for our County and Excelsior Springs?

Excelsior Springs’ portion would amount to about $160,000 a year. I can’t imagine taking those kinds of dollars from our city in these bad economic times. That would be $1.6 million over 10 years. It also is what we would call a “forever tax”.

I voted against this bill in 2010 because I believe our tax money should be spent locally, and I also believe that Kansas City might cut back on their funding for the zoo with a new tax.

Please make your vote count on November 8th whether for or against the tax.