Reardon: "Best yet to come" for Wyandotte County, KCK in 2010

Posted by Nick Sloan on February 9, 2010 - 2:20pm
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Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon addressed the challenges Wyandotte County faced in 2009 and proposed a number of bold programs and goals for Wyandotte County for 2010.

In his State of the Government speech on Tuesday, Reardon proposed a re-emphasis of urban development in downtown Kansas City, Kan., a county-wide scholarship program known as the "Dotte Promise," pitched the need for community involvement in environmental and health issues and defended the county's need for a sales tax increase.

Before the big goals of 2010, Reardon spoke about the challenges Wyandotte County faced in 2009.

"The year was filled with difficult decisions due to economic crisis that gripped our nation and state," Reardon began. "But it was a year of continued progress on many fronts...from our dynamic economic development and job creation efforts to our on-going successes in public safety."

But 2009 had its share of accomplishments, Reardon said.

Reardon pointed to the success of the General Motors Fairfax plant, the movement on the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and the developmental agreement between the county, state and all parties involved with the Cerner/Kansas City Wizards project at Village West.

Because of these developments, Reardon said all of Wyandotte County will benefit.

"New development will occur with single family housing, town-homes and apartments," he said. "New consumers will be attracted to our city to enjoy our shopping and entertainment."

During the speech, Reardon called for bold action on a number of fronts. Among the top agenda items:

  • Reardon expressed the UG's opposition towards Senate Bill 401, which would re-open the gaming legislation. "While we certainly want to help the Woodlands, this is the wrong time to re-open the debate over casinos and gaming."
  • Reardon called for one percent of the revenue generated from the Kansas Speedway casino to be used for programs that promote the healthiness of children and the "Dotte Promise" scholarship program, which would provide all Wyandotte County students a scholarship of some value after high school graduation. "Our citizens expect us to take steps like this that show a tangible investment in our young people today and in their future," Reardon said.
  • A rebate system that would encourage homeowners to purchase more energy efficient items, such as refrigerators.
  • Reardon again called for support of the 3/8-cent increase in the county's sales tax. The 10-year tax would generate between $4-6 million annually. The revenue would address infrastructure projects and public safety. Infrastructure projects took a hit locally in 2009, Reardon said. "Passage of this sales tax referendum is the surest way to see to it that we don't miss a beat with respect to public safety."
  • The mayor called for a task force locally to help address urban development. The task force would develop an agenda to take to the Kansas Legislature. Fourty-four census tracks have been identified in the county as "economically distressed."
  • Reardon recommended the expansion of a small business tax-rebate program that would be aimed at increasing new businesses and business expansion in the urban core.

The year 2010 is already off to a good start, the mayor said. New construction projects this year have already exceeded the number of those in 2009.

"I look forward to working with you over the course of this year to build that community and continue our journey together here in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., – where the best is yet to come."

Posted by John Altevogt on February 9, 2010 - 7:51pm
A house in the inner city of KCK is taxed at 383% of a million dollar property in Leawood and yet these blood suckers want even more money. Worse yet, they imply that public safety and infrastructure would be the first victims if we don't give in to their extortion. Really, so if your budget is a little short at home Mr. Mayor you shut off the heat and the water?

How about spending the money for refrigerator rebates on reducing the over appraised taxes on our homes so we can afford to have a house to put a refrigerator in? How about working to get us an honest appraiser and a County Treasurer who pays the county's bills on time? You're talking about luxuries Mr. Mayor and yet you haven't provided even the basics. Very poor priorities, sir.
Posted by Phil Thomas on February 9, 2010 - 10:34pm
I will vote for a sales tax. We need it. My hope is that a great part of the proceeds will be used to help generate jobs. Specifically, private sector jobs... not more not for profit agencies, organizations, etc. The not for profits we have are strong, and have done a great job, but we are already well-equipped there. My view is that Wyandotte County experienced a great renaissance several decades ago when the Fairfax district provided colossal numbers of jobs, very accessible to our citizens. The Cerner project is an awesome start. But we need magnet facilities with jobs, both blue and white collar, that are within reach of all our local citizens.
Posted by Roger Thompson on February 9, 2010 - 11:17pm
I need help understanding something here, as I know little to nothing about this appraisal vs assessed value thing.

When I look up my house on the UG appraiser's office website, it's appraisal value is showing as less that what I paid for it, and certainly less than I could sell it for now.

It would seem like that isn't anywhere near the 383% that you speak of.

Or am I misreading something?
Posted by S P on February 10, 2010 - 8:41am
I agree with Phil. I'd be happy to pay an additional sales tax to help our community. Jobs, jobs, jobs is what our county needs right now.

John every post you have seems to be based around the appraisal of your home. Don't get me wrong I do understand that they may be appraising our homes at a higher rate, but my mother always taught me that you get more flies with honey and you just seem angry and negative. Smile and pray about it as I truly believe that God gets us through everything. Your answers will come with a positive attitude and a different outlook. I will keep you and your situation in my prayers.
Posted by fred meyer on February 10, 2010 - 10:00am
Anyone knows two things that bring down Wyandotte county. Crime and taxes.

You should be asking where the money goes and why, not lets tax some more. Hold these guys responsible, even if you are related to them and you job depends on them.
Posted by John Altevogt on February 10, 2010 - 10:03am
Roger, I tried to look you up in the database, but found no Roger Thompson, so I can't address your specific situation, but if yours is lower, you're one of the very few in the county with a fair appraisal. Also, to clarify to SP, it's not about my specific house, and flies, honey and my attitude have nothing to do with the corruption in the county appraiser's office, nice try anyway.

As for the 383%, Roger, I was comparing million dollar homes in Leawood with units in the inner city of KCK. Million dollar plus homes in Leawood were being appraised on average at just below 68% of their actual sales values while houses in the inner city of KCK were being appraised on average at 191% of their actual sales values. If you do the math, a house in KCK is appraised at 280% of a million dollar plus property in Leawood. That's holding mill levies constant, but unfortunately, they're not. The average mill levy for Wyandotte County is 137% of the average mill levy for Johnson County (these are all 2007 figures) and if you do that math the difference in taxes between the inner city of KCK and million dollar plus properties in Leawood is 383%.

As for my house, I live in Edwardsville and currently houses in Edwardsville that sold for under $150,000.00 are being appraised on average at 171% of their actual sales value. Not one house was appraised either at, or below its actual sales value. Not one.

SP, that's not anger, that's not negativity, that's just pure fact. It's what the numbers tell us. It has nothing to do with your opinion, or mine.

Now I'd be interested in seeing an objective analysis of why you two (who I suspect are employed by the UG) think that an additional tax will increase jobs in Wyandotte County when it's a proven fact that our high taxes have driven residents and businesses (and hence jobs) out of the county.
Posted by Roger Thompson on February 10, 2010 - 11:28am
I don't work for the UG, or in the public sector and never have. I just think that some of these claims are a bit outlandish.

I'm sure if you looked hard enough and began your research with a certain hypothesis you could find evidence to support it. I don't believe that every house in the inner city is being sold at numbers way below their appraisal, I really don't. I looked at the houses for sale in 66101,66102 and 66106, I know I'm omitting a lot, those were just the 3 I picked and found houses for sale that seemed pretty darn reasonable.

I didn't see 50K houses going for $95K or anything of that nature.


I even saw one that's listed by you John on 616 Elizabeth, that's selling for about 106% of it's appraised value.


Numbers in a vacuum are worthless, you need context and to understand the agenda of those reporting these specific numbers that are so carefully selected to support ones argument.


Taxes haven't driven residents out of KCK. It's crime, perceived crime and schools that ahve driven people to the Blue Valley, Liberty and Blue Springs of the Metro.
Posted by fred meyer on February 10, 2010 - 12:01pm
Roger respectfully taxes have driven a great number of people out of Wyco. The other things you mentioned also.

I think crime may be more on the minds of those that live in town more than those in Edwardsville, Bonner and Piper. Taxes are on every ones mind.
Posted by S P on February 10, 2010 - 12:05pm
Sorry John, but I don't work for the UG either, nor am I related to any of them. I love my county.

Born and raised in the Dotte and am now happily raising my family in the Dotte.

I am sure there is corruption in the government, but not just in KCK, it's just more apparent, but getting angry about it doesn't fix the problem. I've read some of your posts where you've tried to get something done about it and that's what more people need to do.

I am still a firm believer in negativity brings about more negativity, all I'm saying is try going about it in a more positive way without insulting people and maybe something better will happen for you. I am not trying to offend anyone and you have some very valid points as do most of the other people that posted here.

I guess because I have children I am more concerned with what's going on with the school district, I mean, they are over taxing your house, so maybe they should take some of that money and put more of it into our schools.

I don't know what the right answer is, but I do enjoy reading the opinions of other people and I appreciate you all including me.
Posted by John Altevogt on February 10, 2010 - 12:43pm
Roger, for my analysis, I used *every* house that sold within the inner city for a six month period and then compared them to every house that sold for over a million dollars in Leawood for a six month period.

For some of the analysis I have selected price brackets because there does seem to be a bias in favor of the higher priced units that tends to skew the results downward (since one million dollar house that's under appraised by $2-300,000 can hide the over appraisals of many, many lower priced houses). However, even when I select a price range, all of the houses in that price range are used regardless of their impact on the analysis.

Once again, you seem to be confused with the numbers. I'm not sure what you're implying with your comment about 50K houses selling for 95K. That's absolutely correct. 50K houses don't sell for 95K no matter who tries to appraise them that high. That's why the actual sales price is the best indicator of value. The perfect example of that is my listing which is indeed listed at approximately the value indicated by the county - and it hasn't sold.

And yes, taxes have driven people out of Wyandotte County. Crime rates in western Wyandotte County are actually lower in many areas than they are in Johnson County and the schools in Piper, Turner, Edwardsville and Bonner Springs seem to satisfy the residents of those areas. USD 500 does seem to have some problems, but that's only one district.

Again, you've launched specious attacks on my analysis, but no one has offered a rational analysis of how increased taxes will add one single job to Wyandotte County (unless of course some of our politicians use the money to hire a few of their cronies to patronage jobs).
Posted by John Altevogt on February 10, 2010 - 12:52pm
SP, I respect your comments, but it's rather difficult to report that the homes in my community are over appraised by an average of 171% of their actual sales values with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Our county appraiser is ripping people off. The Court of Tax Appeals is covering up for him, their small claims hearing officers are not rendering fair decisions and the process itself is extremely biased against the homeowner. There's no way you can, or should, put a smiley face on that information. Indeed, the pity is that there's not more of an organized outrage against such corruption.

A positive act is to suggest to Mayor Reardon that he fire Gene Bryan (we couldn't do any worse). A positive act is to contact your state legislators and ask them to address this very unfair system. A positive act is to share the information I have with as broad an audience as possible. I've done all those things and will continue to do so in every forum available to me. If you figure out a way to sugar coat that information, you let me know.
Posted by S P on February 10, 2010 - 1:54pm
Tell me how to do all that John and I too will sign those petitions or send those letters or even sit on the phone and call them with my smily face on and I will use my full name.

Like I said before I do realize that they are appraising our homes very high. My father in law lives in a $30,000 home, but the the county appraiser put it at like $65 - $75,000. When appraised for real it comes in at about a $30,000 home. His taxes are in the $1100 range and for the neighborhood he lives in I think it's ridiculous.

As for your post regarding using a real or ficticious name, well S P is what I am called, but as for putting my information out there for others to see, I don't care to do that. I respect your privacy and want people to do the same for me. The internet is a scary place and the less personal information I put on here the better for the safety of my family. I actually have no relatives or close friends in government, working for the UG or a bigwig in any school district. I don't even know if anyone who posts or reads these blogs gives a flying hoot about my opinion, but I will continue to keep my info private because I feel it's my right. I am not trying to offend anyone and try to keep my posts clean. If I at any point do offend someone please feel free to bring it to my attention.
Posted by S P on February 10, 2010 - 1:58pm
BTW John thanks for calling me honey it made me feel really young!! Have a great day!
Posted by John Altevogt on February 10, 2010 - 6:56pm
Your comments have indeed been quite respectful, and I understand your motives are oriented towards your children. I didn't know that I had referred to you as honey, but I'm sure you are one. I do understand that the Internet can be a scary place and I think shooing off the real psychos who are not as kind as you is a good step towards making the Kansan a safer place to chat.
Posted by Patricia Welicky on February 10, 2010 - 10:40pm
Greetings,
I have been reading the above convesation and can only add a few thoughts. One I have lived in Wyandotte County all my life and when Kanasas City Kansas overtook the cities of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville into the Umbrella of the Unified Government my hear sank. Not because of the citzens but of its goverment. For as long as I can remember many have considered the KCK goverment corrupt but what has been done. I know some try the lawsuit route but that solves nothing. The problem is the sales tax increase suggested by the Mayor/CEO Reardon is not guaranteed to solve the problems with the running of this county. I don't have all the facts or numbers at my finger tips but until citizens decide that personal responbiity should be applied to every one including fiscal responbility of the Unified Government is specifi KCK no amount of sales tax increase will help.
Posted by John Altevogt on February 10, 2010 - 11:23pm
Tax increases have never been good for business, they never will be good for business. Many of the businesses in Village West are protesting their taxes and some have already left. A vote for increased taxes is a vote for more irresponsibility in WYCO government, nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by S P on February 11, 2010 - 10:47am
John thank you for being so kind to me. I too would hate to see the posts on the Kansan become like that of other papers. I hope you have a truly wonderful day!