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By MIKE TAYLORUnified Government Construction will begin in the next few months on phase one of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at Kansas Speedway. Plans call for a temporary casino to be open in 2009, with the completed $705-million destination resort open in 2011. “This is a great day for the citizens of Wyandotte County and the state of Kansas,” said Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. “The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be a state-of-the-art gaming, entertainment and retail destination development that will attract eight million tourists annu-ally from across the country to the Kansas City region.” The 1.5 million square-foot, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will include a 300-room luxury hotel; a state-of-the-art casino with 3,000 slot machines and 140 gaming tables; 275,000
square-feet of destination retail, din-ing and entertainment including a live music venue; first-class resort amenities; and extensive meeting and convention facilities. “The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will be the premiere gaming desti-nation in the Midwest. And com-plimented by the Kansas Speedway, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, Vil-lage West and The Legends Shopping and Entertainment District, KCK and Wyandotte County will be the place for conventions, entertainment, family fun, shopping and dining,” declared Mayor Joe Reardon. Kansas Speedway is building the destination resort in partnership with the Cordish Company, developer of the Power and Light District in down-town Kansas City. “In the end, they chose the project that will truly create the most benefit for the people of Kansas. Like we have
done so successfully in other com-munities across the country, Cordish looks forward to creating a unique
destination development that will fur-ther enhance Kansas City’s attractive
By MIKE TAYLORUnified Government Mayor Joe Reardon and the Unified Government Board of Commissioners cut the city/county tax rate by more than 1.5% even though the economy is taking a dramatic toll on rev-enues. The Commission agreed to cut the city tax rate by half a mill and the county tax rate by one-tenth of a mill for a combined tax rate reduction of six tenths of a mill. A mill is one dollar in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. While the tax cut is not as large as past years, Mayor Rear-don and Commissioners still want to send taxpayers the clear message that they are committed to the on-going mission of lower-
ing property taxes for Wyandotte County residents and property owners. “I’m pleased we did not let up in reducing property tax rates. Lower taxes is the number one issue for our citizens,” stated Mayor Reardon. The Unified Government tax rate (combined city-county share of the tax bill) has been reduced nearly 26% since 1997. The UG tax levy continues to be less than half of the total tax bill paid by Wyandotte County residents. Public school districts, the Kansas City Kansas Com-munity College and the State of Kansas account for more than 50% of most Wyandotte Coun-ty tax statements. Learn more about your tax bill and how the
See 2007 BUDGET Page 6 ▼
ISSUE foURTEEn fALL 2008 Your official source of information about the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
Sunday bus service is back, mak-ing it possible to get from downtown Kansas City to Village West on public tranportation seven days a week. The Unified Government Transit and Kan-sas City Area Transportation jointly launched the new #101-Minnesota/
State Avenue route on September 28. The new #101-Minnesota/State Avenue combines the current #101-Minnesota and #114-State
Hard Rock Casino Coming to KCK
Mayor and Commission Cut Taxes Despite Tough Economy
See BUs sERvICE Page 6 ▼
Artist rendering of the proposed Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at Kansas speedway set to open in 2009.
Recycling Update Page 7
New Downtown Homes Page 2
UG 2009 Budget
Page 4-5
Sunday Bus Service
See Hard Rock Casino Page 7 ▼
Seven Day Transit Service on the Street
Mayor Joe Reardon and Congressman Dennis Moore ride the bus from downtown KCK to village West. They attended a Transit summit to discuss the importance of public transportation.
THOUSANDS
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
0
TOTAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS*, 2000
*Includes compensating use tax collections
39.87 39.796
42.914 42.55444.399 44.417 44.462
37.375 37.056 37.226 36.897
38.769
42.57 42.637
23.982
24.068 25.438 25.07826.959 26.838 26.817
60.128 60.621 60.722 60.591 60.656
63.268 63.312
73.039
73.863
76.26774.482
72.503
72.666 74.119
41.032 40.984 41.2340.973
42.84542.792 43.015
95.438
95.21295.556
93.184
88.196
80.359 80.188
85.075 85.260
79.142
76.616
74.021
71.98771.224
20.000
40.000
60.000
80.000
100.000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Mill
s
Lvnwrth Co. (Lvnwrth)
Wyandotte Co. (KCK)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
CITY + COUNTY MILL LEVY COMPARISON 1
Tax Rates for Kansas Cities of the First Class, Fiscal Years 2002-2008
Note: Shown on this graph are select entities and associated city/county mill levies for comparison with Wyandotte County & Kansas City combined mill levies.
Source: Kansas Govt. Journal Tax Rate Books, 2002 thru 2008; additional mill levy information from respective counties/cities.
1City and county mill levy rates are for that jurisdiction only and represents only a portion of a residents tax bill.
Shawnee Co. (Topeka)
Sedgwick Co. (Wichita)
Johnson Co. (Overland Park)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Topeka/Shawnee Co.
KCK / WYCO
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
V:\Tax Rate and Valuation\[mill levy comparisons wyco kck versus other highest cities_TO MAYOR REVISED_MAY 2008.xls
City40.7 mills,
26%
County 30.5 mills, 19%
KCKCC 19.5 mills, 13%
USD 50063.4 mills,
41%
State1.5 mills, 1%
MILL LEVY BREAKDOWN FOR USD 500 RESIDENT(2007 Certified Mill Levy Rates) Reserves 3%Operating 80%
Debt Service 7%
Capital 10%
CITY AND COUNTY MILL LEVIES: 1996 - 2009
100
97
60
80
Le
vy
70
40
Mill
L
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20090
20
County 32.784 31.255 27.526 25.725 24.255 24.190 36.228 36.335 32.693 32.664 31.279 30.399 30.539 30.439
City 64.220 62.116 58.439 55.927 52.237 53.555 48.847 48.925 46.449 43.952 42.742 41.588 40.685 40.185
Total 97.004 93.371 85.965 81.652 76.492 77.745 85.075 85.26 79.142 76.616 74.021 71.987 71.224 70.624
Budget Year
COMBINED GENERAL FUND, REVENUE TRENDS,UNIFIED GOVERNMENT 2003 - 2009
Revenues(In $ Millions)
$40.0
$50.0
$60.0
$0 0
$10.0
$20.0
$30.0
$0.0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues
* S l t i l d th EMS F d t f t Cit G l F d b i i i 2005* Sales tax revenues include the EMS Fund transfer to City General Fund beginning in 2005.
** In 2008, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Appraisers, Extension and Motor Vehicle.
** In 2009, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Arts, Fair, Historical Museum and Soil.
TOTAL CITY AND COUNTY GENERAL FUND REVENUES (In $ Millions)
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues Total Revenues
2003 $44.3 $25.9 $19.8 $37.4 $128.9
2004 $44.8 $25.5 $20.7 $38.3 $134.1
2005 $47.0 $33.7 $22.1 $38.3 $141.1
2006 $47.0 $34.9 $24.8 $40.9 $147.7
200 $48 3 $36 2 $23 8 $41 1 $149 42007 $48.3 $36.2 $23.8 $41.1 $149.4
2008 $52.0 $36.3 $24.1 $47.8 $160.2
2009 $54.2 $37.7 $29.5 $49.2 $170.6
% Chg. 03-09 22.50% 45.51% 49.28% 31.44% 32.29%
V:\2008 Amended, 2009 Budget\Graphs\[combined GF revenue trends 2003-2009.xls]summary
EXPENDITURESAdministration
$0.08
$0.03
$0.09
$0.20Community Service
DebtService
Judicial Services
Public Works
$0.39
$.21
TOTAL = $259,148,490
Public Safety
(Does not include the County Library Fund)
Reimbursements Fund Balanc Other
SOURCES OF SUPPORT
Property Tax$77,940,984
30%Interest Income$3,378,000
Fines/Fees$7,328,729
3%
$3,637,4141%
Fund Balance$9,221,525
4%
Ot e$16,583,876
6%
Intergovt. Revenues
$11,673,4304%
$3,378,0001%
Sales Tax$39,219,930
15%
Charges for Service
$37,879,000
Prosperity,Progress,
fall 2008 • Page 2 www.wycokck.org
Memo from the Mayor:Wyandotte County • Kansas City, Kansas
By MAyoR/CEo JoE REARDon
and Pride
The Citizen is published periodically by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, 66101. It is mailed to every
residential address in Wyandotte County. Due to postage costs, copies are not mailed outside Wyandotte County. An electronic version is posted
on the official Unified Government website at www.wycokck.org.
Comments or questions can be sent to Mike Taylor, Public Relations Director at 913.573.5565 or [email protected].
In accordance with the Department of Justice regulations, the Unified Government’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) is available on the Unified Government’s web page at www.wycokck.org, click on Departments and scroll down to Constituent & Organization
Development. For questions regarding this report, please call (913) 573-5474.
“All Good Things Come to those who Wait”
After 15 long years of fighting for expanded gaming, a world class casino is on its way to Wyandotte County. The Hard Rock Casino and Resort at the Kansas Speed-way will be the premiere gaming destination in the Midwest. It will be complimented by the Kansas Speedway, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, Village West and The Leg-ends Shopping and Entertainment District, making KCK and Wyan-
dotte County the place for conventions, entertainment, family fun, shopping and dining. The destination casino resort scheduled to fully open in 2011 will bring millions of new visitors to our community and gener-ate an estimated $19-million in new gaming and tax revenues for our local government. I will continue to advocate that new gam-ing revenue should be used to lower property taxes. Property tax reduction remains critical to our success as a community. We have made progress in lowering our tax rate, but more still needs to be done. over the last five years, I’ve worked hard with the Unified Gov-ernment Commission to cut property tax rates, and I’m proud to say that we have successfully reduced the combined City/County tax rate by more than 16 percent since 2003. our city/county tax rate is now less than Leavenworth and Topeka. In fact, we are within striking distance of having a property tax rate equal to the largest city in the state: Wichita. But I realize as property valuations have risen, many have still seen their tax statements rise. Therefore, we must do better. There are many things we could do with the new casino revenues, but I believe none is more important to our continued success than lowering our property tax rates. The benefits of the Hard Rock Casino and Resort go far beyond gaming and tax revenues. The casino will create around 2,000 construction jobs over the next couple of years and 2,000-3,000 good paying permanent jobs once the casino resort is open. The Unified Government and Kansas City Kansas Community College having already launched a workforce development program to train workers in the hospitality and retail industry. Because of the landmark interlocal revenue sharing agreements signed by myself, Edwardsville Mayor Heinz Rodgers and Bonner Springs Mayor Clausie Smith, all three cities will share in the reve-nues produced by the casino even though it is located in KCK. That cooperative revenue agreement will not only produce direct finan-cial benefits for Edwardsville and Bonner Springs, but the citizens of those communities will also reap indirect economic benefits as millions of new people come to Wyandotte County to live, work and play. It reflects a renewed spirit of Wyandotte County working collectively and cooperatively for the benefit of all of our citizens. More than 80% of Wyandotte County voters approved having a Las Vegas style destination casino resort built in Wyandotte County. The citizens of Wyandotte County can be proud of this develop-ment and the steps taken to make it a reality.
By Edwin BirchUnified Government The Unified Government Board of Commissioners has made KCK the first city in Kansas to increase the minimum wage for workers not covered by federal wage standards. "This step once again shows that this elected body is committed to progressive government that seeks to address the issues affecting families within our com-munity. It is a first in Kansas and a natural next step for Kansas City, Kansas," said Mayor Joe Reardon. The state of Kansas currently has the lowest minimum wage, at $2.65 an hour, among the 45 states that have set a minimum wage. five states in the South have no minimum wage at all. The UG made a bold step by becoming the first mu-nicipality in the state to raise the minimum wage locally to the federal Minimum wage of $6.55 an hour. "our state minimum wage is so low it allows employers to legally pay a rate that keeps people in the state of poverty," said Commission Mike Kane. "I hope the message we send today goes from the east to the west ; that those out west need to think about the people who need this the most. It's not a difficult task. We did it here." Commissioners Mike Kane and Mark Holland led the effort and worked closely with organizations like Raise the Wage Kansas Coalition, State Representatives, and grass roots organizations to get the minimum wage ordinance passed. The action by the Commission occurred on the same day as the federal Minimum wage increased on Thursday. The UG has indexed its minimum wage to continue to rise with the federal minimum wage. “We belive it is unfair and unjust for the hard working people of our commu-nity to labor for such a low wage,” Commissioner Mark Holland said. "People in Kansas deserve an opportunity to raise their children and meet their basic needs; people have an opportunity to reach out to the American dream. $2.65 an hour is an embarrassment to all of us." Although most employees in Kansas are covered by the federal law, there are certain categories; small businesses, farms, childcare and eldercare workers, and other occupational classifications that are not covered by the fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This action will impact an estimate 2,300 workers in Kansas City, Kansas.
UG Raises Minimum Wage
UGTV is the newest television channel in Wyandotte County. UGTV, short for Unified Govern-ment Television, is designed to pro-vide citizens greater accessibility to local governement by producing and distributing information about policies, procedures, resources, ser-vices, programs, local government issues and events via cable televi-sion. UGTV will work to increase citi-zen awareness, understanding, and participation in all areas of local government; broadcast programs that explain and inform the public about Unified Government services and programs; and provide programming from federal, state and government affiliated agencies of interest or educational value to local citizens. Some of the shows include, “Community focus with Mayor Joe Reardon” and “Around The District,” a series of talk shows featuring Unified Government Com-missioners and “Wyandotte County Tour,” a video tour profiling and promoting the community.. UGTV airs on Channel 2 on the Time Warner Cable and will be on Channel 25 of Sunflower Cable in western Wyandotte County.
UGTV On The Air
The Unified Government website has a new look and is easier to use. now, ac-cess to important information and services is just three to five clicks away. Just go to www.wycokck.org for everything from meeting agendas, minutes and details about various departments, to paying taxes on-line or filing a complaint or comment with the 3-1-1 Call Center. or take a virtual tour of Wyandotte County through a series of streaming video movies. for the latest news and information about the Unified Government and Wyan-dotte County, sign-up for the UG Enews Source, a weekly newsletter e-mailed to subscribers. Go to www.wycokck.org and look for the sign-up box.
Get Wired with The UG
fALL 2008 • Page 3www.wycokck.org
Quindaro Ruins Overlook Open
Hundreds turned out to dedicate a major renovation project which makes it possible for citizens to visit and view the hisoric Quin-daro Ruins at 27th and Sewell. A new overlook structure is the feature point of the renovation. Quindaro was one of the first cities in Kansas and played a major role in the nation’s battle over slavery. The abolitionist sentiments of the town and its location directly across from the pro-slavery state of Missouri made Quindaro a stop for fugitive slaves using the Underground Railroad. The overlook is the first signifi-cant structure to be erected on the historic Quindaro Ruins site since it was abandoned following the Civil War and economic depres-sion. The improvements were paid for with a $200,000 "Save Ameri-ca's Treasures" grant from the US
Department of Interior/national Park Service. Much of the wild overgrown was cut down. Paths and stairs were installed. now visitors can view parts of the ruins from the overlook, or walk to them using the stairs and trail future plans include the con-struction of a museum and archive facility. Many of the organizations involved in the current renovation are hoping they can raise at least $1 million to begin the next phase of the project. "I think it is great to have every-one from every corner of our com-munity to come together to cele-brate the historical significance of Quindaro," said Unified Govern-ment Community Development Director Lavert Murray. "It's about everybody."
Strawberry Hill neighborhood President Carol Diehl was smiling at the ribbon cutting celebration for the new 5th Street Townhomes. The five units are the newest addition to downtown KCK. "We are so excited about this be-cause this is a new beginning for us," exclaimed Diehl. "This is absolutely the beginning of a rebuilding of our neighbor-hoods and downtown," said May-or Reardon. "our downtown will come alive when more and more people come to be residents of it." The townhomes are built by City Vision Ministries, a not-for-profit urban development organization. CVM has been responsible for
building and redeveloping many urban neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas. "These are the first of what we hope will be 60 town homes and condominiums to be built here in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood," says John Harvey, CVM Executive Director. "These are also some of the first Energy Star rated Town Homes in the metropolitan area." CVM is responsible for the revitalization of Turtle Hill, The Historic City Hall Lofts, Mission Cliffs Homes and Townhomes, and Rainbow Park. The design of the new townhomes is just what Diehl was hoping for; a
blend of the old with the new. "We asked City Vision when the first started out would they please have the homes blend in with the homes already in the neighborhood," said Diehl. "This neighborhood is just a mar-velous neighborhood to be working in and City Vision is proud to be part of it," said Harvey. The town-homes are some of the first Energy Star Rated units in the metropolitan area. "These kinds of homes are go-ing to be in more demand in the fu-ture. They are highly, highly energy efficient," he said. Harvey emphasized that the lo-cation of the townhomes make them appealing to those who enjoy
being close to businesses and ma-jor entertainment spots like Village West, Sprint Center, and downtown Crossroads District. CVM is responsible for the revi-talization of Turtle Hill, The His-toric City Hall Lofts, Mission Cliffs Homes and Townhomes, and Rain-bow Park. Harvey also says a new restaurant, Wheat State Pizza, a re-gional chain, is open at 612 north 5th Street in a building CityVision Ministries owns. for more information and a vir-tual tour, go to www.cityvisionkck.org.
5th Street Townhomes Added in Strawberry Hill
The new scenic overlook structure at the historic Quindaro Ruins site at 27th and sewell.
KCK residents are celebrating the newest neighborhood devel-opment of I-635. Peregrine falcon Estates is located just north of 7th Street and Quindaro. The urban lifestyle develop-ment is designed to promote a strong sense of community within a secure neighborhood. The Per-egrine plan for a Lifestyle Commu-nity represents the opportunity to provide additional amenities and extra dimensions that are usually only found in the best suburban locations. The first phase of the 50-acre development, currently under construction, will consist of 30 high-quality homes. The second
phase will bring an additional 50 homes scheduled for construction after the first of the year. "We have some of the best hous-ing for almost any opportunity that one wants to have in new hous-ing," said Mayor Reardon at the kick-off of the KCK Smart Homes Tour. Homes in the Pergrine falcon subdivision begin in the high $100,000 range and are located just minutes away from down-town. Peregrine falcon Estates are open for tours on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. for more information go to www.livingindowntownkck.com.
Peregrine Falcon Estates Suburban Style in an Urban Setting
Crowds tour 5th street Townhomes in strawberry Hill. The townhomes are some of the first Energy star Rated units in the metropolitan area.
UG Agendas and MinutesMeeting Agendas and Minutes are available and readily accessible on the Internet. So it's easy to find items and actions the Unified Government Commission and its Standing Committees are taking. To view standing committee and full commission agendas and minutes, go to the Unified Government Website at www.wycokck.org. Just click on the Agendas and minutes logo.
THOUSANDS
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
0
TOTAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS*, 2000
*Includes compensating use tax collections
39.87 39.796
42.914 42.55444.399 44.417 44.462
37.375 37.056 37.226 36.897
38.769
42.57 42.637
23.982
24.068 25.438 25.07826.959 26.838 26.817
60.128 60.621 60.722 60.591 60.656
63.268 63.312
73.039
73.863
76.26774.482
72.503
72.666 74.119
41.032 40.984 41.2340.973
42.84542.792 43.015
95.438
95.21295.556
93.184
88.196
80.359 80.188
85.075 85.260
79.142
76.616
74.021
71.98771.224
20.000
40.000
60.000
80.000
100.000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Mill
s
Lvnwrth Co. (Lvnwrth)
Wyandotte Co. (KCK)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
CITY + COUNTY MILL LEVY COMPARISON 1
Tax Rates for Kansas Cities of the First Class, Fiscal Years 2002-2008
Note: Shown on this graph are select entities and associated city/county mill levies for comparison with Wyandotte County & Kansas City combined mill levies.
Source: Kansas Govt. Journal Tax Rate Books, 2002 thru 2008; additional mill levy information from respective counties/cities.
1City and county mill levy rates are for that jurisdiction only and represents only a portion of a residents tax bill.
Shawnee Co. (Topeka)
Sedgwick Co. (Wichita)
Johnson Co. (Overland Park)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Topeka/Shawnee Co.
KCK / WYCO
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
V:\Tax Rate and Valuation\[mill levy comparisons wyco kck versus other highest cities_TO MAYOR REVISED_MAY 2008.xls
City40.7 mills,
26%
County 30.5 mills, 19%
KCKCC 19.5 mills, 13%
USD 50063.4 mills,
41%
State1.5 mills, 1%
MILL LEVY BREAKDOWN FOR USD 500 RESIDENT(2007 Certified Mill Levy Rates) Reserves 3%Operating 80%
Debt Service 7%
Capital 10%
CITY AND COUNTY MILL LEVIES: 1996 - 2009
100
97
60
80
Le
vy
70
40
Mill
L
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20090
20
County 32.784 31.255 27.526 25.725 24.255 24.190 36.228 36.335 32.693 32.664 31.279 30.399 30.539 30.439
City 64.220 62.116 58.439 55.927 52.237 53.555 48.847 48.925 46.449 43.952 42.742 41.588 40.685 40.185
Total 97.004 93.371 85.965 81.652 76.492 77.745 85.075 85.26 79.142 76.616 74.021 71.987 71.224 70.624
Budget Year
COMBINED GENERAL FUND, REVENUE TRENDS,UNIFIED GOVERNMENT 2003 - 2009
Revenues(In $ Millions)
$40.0
$50.0
$60.0
$0 0
$10.0
$20.0
$30.0
$0.0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues
* S l t i l d th EMS F d t f t Cit G l F d b i i i 2005* Sales tax revenues include the EMS Fund transfer to City General Fund beginning in 2005.
** In 2008, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Appraisers, Extension and Motor Vehicle.
** In 2009, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Arts, Fair, Historical Museum and Soil.
TOTAL CITY AND COUNTY GENERAL FUND REVENUES (In $ Millions)
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues Total Revenues
2003 $44.3 $25.9 $19.8 $37.4 $128.9
2004 $44.8 $25.5 $20.7 $38.3 $134.1
2005 $47.0 $33.7 $22.1 $38.3 $141.1
2006 $47.0 $34.9 $24.8 $40.9 $147.7
200 $48 3 $36 2 $23 8 $41 1 $149 42007 $48.3 $36.2 $23.8 $41.1 $149.4
2008 $52.0 $36.3 $24.1 $47.8 $160.2
2009 $54.2 $37.7 $29.5 $49.2 $170.6
% Chg. 03-09 22.50% 45.51% 49.28% 31.44% 32.29%
V:\2008 Amended, 2009 Budget\Graphs\[combined GF revenue trends 2003-2009.xls]summary
EXPENDITURESAdministration
$0.08
$0.03
$0.09
$0.20Community Service
DebtService
Judicial Services
Public Works
$0.39
$.21
TOTAL = $259,148,490
Public Safety
(Does not include the County Library Fund)
Reimbursements Fund Balanc Other
SOURCES OF SUPPORT
Property Tax$77,940,984
30%Interest Income$3,378,000
Fines/Fees$7,328,729
3%
$3,637,4141%
Fund Balance$9,221,525
4%
Ot e$16,583,876
6%
Intergovt. Revenues
$11,673,4304%
$3,378,0001%
Sales Tax$39,219,930
15%
Charges for Service
$37,879,000
fall 2008 • Page 4 fALL 2008 • Page 5
2009 Unified Government Budget
THOUSANDS
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
0
TOTAL SALES TAX COLLECTIONS*, 2000
*Includes compensating use tax collections
39.87 39.796
42.914 42.55444.399 44.417 44.462
37.375 37.056 37.226 36.897
38.769
42.57 42.637
23.982
24.068 25.438 25.07826.959 26.838 26.817
60.128 60.621 60.722 60.591 60.656
63.268 63.312
73.039
73.863
76.26774.482
72.503
72.666 74.119
41.032 40.984 41.2340.973
42.84542.792 43.015
95.438
95.21295.556
93.184
88.196
80.359 80.188
85.075 85.260
79.142
76.616
74.021
71.98771.224
20.000
40.000
60.000
80.000
100.000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Mill
s
Lvnwrth Co. (Lvnwrth)
Wyandotte Co. (KCK)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
CITY + COUNTY MILL LEVY COMPARISON 1
Tax Rates for Kansas Cities of the First Class, Fiscal Years 2002-2008
Note: Shown on this graph are select entities and associated city/county mill levies for comparison with Wyandotte County & Kansas City combined mill levies.
Source: Kansas Govt. Journal Tax Rate Books, 2002 thru 2008; additional mill levy information from respective counties/cities.
1City and county mill levy rates are for that jurisdiction only and represents only a portion of a residents tax bill.
Shawnee Co. (Topeka)
Sedgwick Co. (Wichita)
Johnson Co. (Overland Park)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Topeka/Shawnee Co.
KCK / WYCO
Johnson Co. (Shawnee)
Johnson Co. (Olathe)
Johnson Co. (Lenexa)
V:\Tax Rate and Valuation\[mill levy comparisons wyco kck versus other highest cities_TO MAYOR REVISED_MAY 2008.xls
City40.7 mills,
26%
County 30.5 mills, 19%
KCKCC 19.5 mills, 13%
USD 50063.4 mills,
41%
State1.5 mills, 1%
MILL LEVY BREAKDOWN FOR USD 500 RESIDENT(2007 Certified Mill Levy Rates) Reserves 3%Operating 80%
Debt Service 7%
Capital 10%
CITY AND COUNTY MILL LEVIES: 1996 - 2009
100
97
60
80
Le
vy
70
40
Mill
L
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20090
20
County 32.784 31.255 27.526 25.725 24.255 24.190 36.228 36.335 32.693 32.664 31.279 30.399 30.539 30.439
City 64.220 62.116 58.439 55.927 52.237 53.555 48.847 48.925 46.449 43.952 42.742 41.588 40.685 40.185
Total 97.004 93.371 85.965 81.652 76.492 77.745 85.075 85.26 79.142 76.616 74.021 71.987 71.224 70.624
Budget Year
COMBINED GENERAL FUND, REVENUE TRENDS,UNIFIED GOVERNMENT 2003 - 2009
Revenues(In $ Millions)
$40.0
$50.0
$60.0
$0 0
$10.0
$20.0
$30.0
$0.0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues
* S l t i l d th EMS F d t f t Cit G l F d b i i i 2005* Sales tax revenues include the EMS Fund transfer to City General Fund beginning in 2005.
** In 2008, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Appraisers, Extension and Motor Vehicle.
** In 2009, the following funds are added to the County General Fund: Arts, Fair, Historical Museum and Soil.
TOTAL CITY AND COUNTY GENERAL FUND REVENUES (In $ Millions)
Property Tax Sales & Use Tax Franchise Tax Other Revenues Total Revenues
2003 $44.3 $25.9 $19.8 $37.4 $128.9
2004 $44.8 $25.5 $20.7 $38.3 $134.1
2005 $47.0 $33.7 $22.1 $38.3 $141.1
2006 $47.0 $34.9 $24.8 $40.9 $147.7
200 $48 3 $36 2 $23 8 $41 1 $149 42007 $48.3 $36.2 $23.8 $41.1 $149.4
2008 $52.0 $36.3 $24.1 $47.8 $160.2
2009 $54.2 $37.7 $29.5 $49.2 $170.6
% Chg. 03-09 22.50% 45.51% 49.28% 31.44% 32.29%
V:\2008 Amended, 2009 Budget\Graphs\[combined GF revenue trends 2003-2009.xls]summary
EXPENDITURESAdministration
$0.08
$0.03
$0.09
$0.20Community Service
DebtService
Judicial Services
Public Works
$0.39
$.21
TOTAL = $259,148,490
Public Safety
(Does not include the County Library Fund)
Reimbursements Fund Balanc Other
SOURCES OF SUPPORT
Property Tax$77,940,984
30%Interest Income$3,378,000
Fines/Fees$7,328,729
3%
$3,637,4141%
Fund Balance$9,221,525
4%
Ot e$16,583,876
6%
Intergovt. Revenues
$11,673,4304%
$3,378,0001%
Sales Tax$39,219,930
15%
Charges for Service
$37,879,000
fall 2008 • Page 4 fALL 2008 • Page 5
2009 Unified Government Budget
Avenue routes to create one route. As a result, customers can ride from KCATA’s 10th & Main Transit Plaza in downtown KCMo to Village West and back without needing to transfer at the Indian Springs Transit Center in KCK. Customers can still board and exit #101 buses at major KCK loca-tions such as downtown KCK, Indian Springs Transit Center, KCK Com-munity College, Providence Medi-cal Center, the Unified Govern-ment Courthouse Annex and along State Avenue and Parallel Parkway between Village West Parkway and 82nd Street. In addition to the new Sunday bus service, riders will also have Minnesota/State Avenue bus service on Thanksgiving and Christ-mas. Sunday bus service is paid for with a two-year federal grant totaling $452,800 through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ). federal funds are also pay-ing for a detailed study of running Rapid Transit bus service up and down the State Avenue Corridor.
$1.5-million in federal funds covered that cost. But launching Bus Rapid Transit full time could cost more than $30-million. “Buses are critical to our future,” said Mayor Joe Reardon. “We need to spend more on transit.” Congressman Dennis Moore agrees and has helped secure fed-eral funds for public transportation in Wyandotte County. “A lot of Americans are starting to rethink the energy and transportation question,” Moore said. “There’s a real need for public transportation in this area.” The new Minnesota/State Avenue route will also operate new hours during the week and on Saturdays. Customers will now have service on:•Sundayshourlyfrom9am
to 7 pm •Weekdaysevery30minutes
from 5:30 am to 7 pm •Weeknightshourlyfrom7pmto
11 pm •Saturdayshourlyfrom6:30am
to 6:30 pm
fALL 2008 • Page 6 www.wycokck.org
sUNDAY BUs sERvICE cont. from page 1
Cutting costs is a prudent approach to confronting our eco-nomic challenges. But enhancing and diversifying revenues is also an important component. It is proposed that the Unified Gov-ernment initiate a variety of new revenue sources.• The BPU Payment in Lieu of
Taxes fee (PILoT) charged on monthly utility bills will increase from 7.9% to 9.9%. The increase will total about $2 a month on a $100 charge for electricity and water. The
fee does not apply to the trash or stormwater portions of the BPU bill. Increasing the PILoT fee is less burdensome on residential homeowners than increasing property taxes. It would require a 5% increase in the Unified Government property tax rate to generate the same amount of dollars as the 2% increase in the BPU PILoT. The PILoT fee helps diversify revenues and less-ens the reliance on property taxes.
• A Storm Water Utility fee of$2 a month will be charged to help pay for maintenance. KCK has miles of storm sewers, ditches and floodways which need repair and improvement to prevent homes and busi-nesses from flooding during heavy rains. federal environ-mental mandates will force many of these repairs. The small fee makes the impact on individual property owners more affordable than raising the property tax mill levy.
• Trafficandcodeviolationfineswill increase to be more in line with fines charged by sur-rounding cities.
• Thetransientguesttaxchargedon people who stay in KCK hotel rooms will increase from 6% to 8%. This tax is paid mostly by tourists and others visiting the community.
Increased fees Help Offset Tax Cut
2008 BUDGETcont. from page 1
Construction is underway on the Torrent Tidal Wave River, the longest attraction of its kind in the world. The massive momentum river is powered by a monstrous 25,000 gallon, 20-foot-wide, tidal wave that races through more than 1,620 feet of waterway. “We are pleased to announce our first family-thrill attraction,” explained Michael Catcott, project executive for the Schlitterbahn Va-cation Village. “I’m excited that the most ambitious version of this at-traction will entertain new legions
of fans right here in Kansas City, Kansas. This continues to demon-strate our commitment in making the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village THE family entertainment destina-tion of the Midwest.” The Torrent Tidal Wave River is scheduled to open summer 2009 with the rest of the Schlitterbahn Water Resort. The 40-acre water park is part of the overall $750 million year-round, trend-setting, retail entertainment destination set to be completed in 2011.
schlitterbahn Update
Torrent Tidal Wave River is now under construction
money is spent on pages four and five. To make ends meet in the $259-million budget, the Unified Government was forced to cut mil-lions of dollars in spending. one major reduction is a hiring freeze on all new employees with the exception of essential personnel, including police officers, firefight-ers, paramedics and jail detention officers. other essential personnel such as bus drivers will also be exempted from the hiring freeze. The Commission is also delay-ing capital improvement construc-tion projects to increase funding for other projects which offer more countywide benefits. Those funds were shifted to street repair, curbs and sidewalks, neighborhood revi-talization initiatives and increased funding to Bonner Springs and Edwardsville under the Countywide Initiative for funding Infrastructure (CIfI) Program. CIfI funding for Bonner Springs and Edwardsville will be increased by KCK giving up its share of the remaining dollars. That will allow the two cities to share in almost $50,000 of extra funding for street repair projects. At the end of the meeting, sev-eral members of the commission expressed pleasure with the deci-sion they made based on the limited
revenue and dismal economy. Skyrocketing fuel prices, record numbers of home foreclosures, decreasing home values, rising unemployment and slower consum-er spending taking a toll on govern-ment, as well as businesses and citizens. The slowing of expected revenues, declining property values, increasing operational costs, the impact of property tax appeals, ris-ing fuel costs and the high cost cost of the harsh 2008 winter all contrib-uted to the tight financial picture for the Unified Government. The well-publicized downturn in the national economy is only part of the problem. The State of Kansas is also facing economic challenges which impose additional downward pressures on local budgets. The repeal of the Machinery and Equip-ment Tax cost Wyandotte County more than $600,000 in lost revenues in 2007 even with a reimburse-ment formula in place. Those losses are expected to continue, perhaps even becoming more severe as the reimbursement formula phases out. The halt of state revenue sharing demand transfers in 2003 continues to cost local government across Kansas as much as $70-million a year. The Unified Government has made-up an on-going loss of about $4-million a year for each of the past five years.
DTV ComingWill your TV work after february 17, 2009? your TV signal is switching to “digital.” for more than fifty years, TV broadcasters have sent their shows to your TV using “analog” signals. After february 17, 2009, most of the old analog signals will be gone and most of the stations you watch will use only the new digital signals. If you have cable, satellite or broadband TV you’ll be fine. But if you still use rabbit ears or an antenna on the roof, you will need to get a converter box. for more information about DTV and to get a free converter box coupon call 1-877-530-2634 or got to www.dtv2009.gov.
image,” said Cordish executive Joe Weinberg. The development, which will be located in Kansas Speedway’s Turn 2 with strong visibility and access to both Interstate 70 and Interstate 435, will bring a distinctive and energetic destination entertainment and gam-ing experience to Wyandotte County and establish the area as one of the major sports and leisure destinations in the country. “now that we have been given the green light to develop one of the nation’s most unique sports and entertainment projects, we look for-ward to moving forward with our other announced plans. This includes requesting that nASCAR move a sec-
ond nASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to Kansas Speedway. I look forward to nASCAR’s premier stock car series racing twice a year in the nation’s heartland by no later than 2011,” said Boerger. Kansas Speedway also promises to build a road course in the in-field for Grand Am and other sports car rac-ing. The first phase gaming facility set to open in 2009 will include approxi-mately 2,000 slot machines and 75 gaming tables. It will operate during construction of the overall hotel casi-no and entertainment development and is projected to generate in excess of $200 million in annual revenues. The casino project will pay full prop-
erty taxes, sales taxes and hotel guest taxes. no STAR Bonds or other from of tax increment financing can be used for the development. The devel-
opers agree to pay prevailing wage and strive to mett minority supplier and workforce diversity goals.
fALL 2008 • Page 7www.wycokck.org
By Kirk sutherUnified GovernmentAre you wondering what those green bins are that many residents have set out on their trash day for the past sev-eral months? Those residents are par-ticipating with the Kansas City, Kansas’ new curbside recycling program that kicked off in June. Where can I go to get a green recy-cling bin? you can call the Unified Government’s 311 number or look on the website, www.wycokck.org, for locations where you can pickup your recycling bin. you can also always pick one up from the Wyandotte County Community Recycling Center located at 3241 Park Drive in Kansas City, Kan-sas. The Recycling Center will be the permanent location in which residents can get a recycling bin. The hours of operation for the Recycling Center are Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm and on fridays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. To pick up a bin you need to show proof of residency in Kansas City, Kansas. Who will receive curbside recycling services? All residents, up to a four-plex, who receive residential trash ser-vice by Deffenbaugh, who reside in Kansas City, Kansas shall have curbside recycling services available to them. This residential recycling program does not include businesses, trailer courts, apartments, or home associations that privately contract for trash services. These residents may continue to use the Recycling Center located at 3241 Park Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. Why must I have a green Unified Government recycling bin to partici-pate? Deffenbaugh has two trucks running on trash day: one for trash and one for recycling. The green bin will tells the recycling truck to stop for recyclables. When will curbside recycling be picked up at my home? Pickup of curbside recyclables will occur on the same day as your trash day each week.
normal collection hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through friday. Def-fenbaugh may come at any time during the day so have your recyclables out by 7 am. Place your recycling bin 3 feet or closer to the curb for collection. Place at least five feet away from your trash/garbage if possible. If you are lim-ited by space, separate your recyclables from your trash as much as possible. Do I have to separate recyclables? no! Just place all your recyclables into the same bin, this makes it easy and con-venient for you. We will be picking up paper, paperboard, plastic containers labeled #1 and #2, aluminum and steel cans, and corrugated cardboard. All recyclables will be picked up together weekly at the curb and taken to a facil-ity on S. 88th in Kansas City, Kansas where all the recyclables are separated and processed. This is called single stream recycling. What types of paper will be col-lected? Examples of paper that will be picked up will be newspapers (includ-ing inserts and ads), office paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogues, and phone books. Place your paper recy-clables in your recycling bin. Try and place heavier items on top of loose paper so it does not blow out of your bin. (If you recycle your paper at your local school or church as a fundraiser, please continue to do this.) What is paperboard? Paperboard refers to the packaging material used to make cereal, cracker, beverage, shoe
boxes, etc. Breakdown your paper-board and place them in your recycling bin. What types of plastics do we collect? At this point in time, we only collect plastics labeled #1 or #2. Examples of PETE #1 plastics are water bottles, soda bottles, cooking oil bottles, mouthwash bottles, and cleaning bottles. Examples of HDPE #2 plastics are milk con-tainers, juice containers, and cleaner product containers. A rule of thumb is that if the cap screws on the neck of a plastic container you can recycle the plastic. Please remove all lids or caps and throw lids & caps into garbage. Then place #1 & #2 plastics in your bin. What types of aluminum and steel are collected? Empty soda and bever-age aluminum cans are accepted for collection. you should rinse out the cans and flatten the aluminum cans before putting them into your recy-cling bin. Empty soup, fruit, vegetable, food, and beverage steel cans are also accepted. Please rinse and clean the steel cans and place the lid inside the can and crimp close before placing them into your recycling bin. What do you mean by corrugated cardboard? Corrugated cardboard refers to shipping boxes that have the “wavy middle layer”. Boxes should be flattened and put into your bin or cut in pieces and tied together and placed on the ground under the bin. you can also fold and stuff multiple boxes into one
box and set next to the recycling bin. Can I get an additional recycling bin? At this point in time, households will only be given one container per house for weekly curbside recycling. If you need more room, you can place recy-clables in a paper sack and place it next to your recycling bin. In addition, you can place extra recyclables in a plastic container and place it behind your green bin. Label the container “for recycling”. What items are not taken with curb-side recycling? no glass. no plastic bags. no shredded paper. no carry out pizza boxes. no books. no Sty-rofoam. no disposable diapers. no plastic cups & tableware. no marga-rine or yogurt containers. no motor oil bottles. no auto product bottles. no egg cartons. Do I have to recycle? Participa-tion with curbside recycling is up to each individual and is voluntary for them to participate, but everyone will be paying the same amount for trash pickup services whether they recycle or not. Resident’s monthly bill went from $6.25 per month to $9.75 per month. This monthly fee of $9.75 provides the following services: weekly trash pickup; weekly curbside recycling; the recycling center; and 7 household hazardous waste collection days each year. How can I get more information? first of all, you can go to the Uni-fied Government’s website at www.wycokck.org, and look under the curb-side recycling link. There is informa-tion about where you can pickup con-tainers, weekly instructions, a question and answer section, and information of why it is important to recycle. you can also call the Unified Government’s 311 number. Who do I call if I have a problem? Residents can call 311 to report any problems they may be having with the program. Please call as if you don’t call we don’t know there is a problem.
HARD ROCK CAsINO cont. from page 1
Big Bucks Benefits The Kansas Speedway and the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel mean big bucks for Wyandotte County and the State of Kansas. Here’s a quick esti-mated tally of the economic benefits:•SecondNASCARSprintCupRace:$111-millionannually.•SportsCarRoadCourse:$15-millionannualfinancialbenefittothe
community. •CampingWorldRVRally:$10-millioneconomicimpactstartingin
2010.•UnifiedGovernmentRevenues: $19-million annually in taxes and
gaming revenues.
All You Need to Know about Curbside Recycling
fall 2008 • Page 8
for general information and numbers not listed,please call 3-1-1
www.wycokck.org
Animal Control ........................321-1445Appraiser, Personal Property ....573-8400 Appraiser, Vehicle Property ......573-8400Area Agency on Aging .............573-8531Auto Licensing.........................573-2821Base Mapping .........................573-2942Building Inspection .................573-8620Business License ......................573-8780Code Enforcement ...................573-8600Commissioners office .............573-5040Community Development .......573-5100Community Policing ................573-8720County Administrator ..............573-5030County Clerk’s office ..............573-5260Delinquent Tax ........................573-2817Dept. of Technology ................573-2885Dispute Resolutions .................573-5225District Court Clerk .................573-2901District Attorney ......................573-2851Election Commissioner ............573-8500Emergency Management .........573-6300fire Department ......................573-5550Health Department ..................573-8855Human Resources ...................573-5660Legal Department ....................573-5060Livable neighborhoods ...........573-8737Mayor’s office .........................573-5010Municipal Court ......................573-5200operation Brightside ...............573-8734Parks Department ....................573-8327Planning and Zoning ...............573-5750Police Chief’s office ................573-6010Police (non-emergency) ...........596-3000Public Relations ......................573-5565Public Works ...........................573-5400Purchasing ..............................573-5440Recreation ...............................573-8327Regional Transit ............ (816) 221-0660Register of Deeds ....................573-2841Rental Licensing ......................573-8649Service Requests, Info ..............573-8790Sheriff ......................................573-2861Solid Waste Coordinator ..........573-5400Street Department ...................573-8307Treasurer .................................573-2821UG Transit ...............................573-8351Water Pollution Control ...........573-5400Wyandotte County Museum ....721-1078
Website: www.wycokck.org
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752008 Unified Government Commission
NathaN BarNesDistrict 1
Butch ellisoNDistrict 8
tom cooleyDistrict 7
mark mitchellDistrict 4
mike kaNeDistrict 5
Pat huggiNs PetteyDistrict 6
Bill millerDistrict 2
aNN murguiaDistrict 3
Mayor’s Office: 573-5010Commission’s Office: 573-5040
Joe reardoNMayor/CEO
mark hollaNdDistrict 1 at-large
doN deseureDistrict 2 at-large
UNIFIED GOVERNMENTOFFICE NUMBERS
The Unified Government 3-1-1 Call Center provides simple and easy three-digit access to a live Customer Service Representative who can answer general questions related to municipal court, property taxes and a variety of other issues as well take complaints about everythng from code violations to traffic light outages and pot holes. The UG is the first city in the state of Kansas to launch a 3-1-1 Call Center.
