If you use the Unified Government's 311 Business Operation Center, it may take a little bit longer now.

The UG reduced the operation center's staff. While the staff is smaller, operation hours will remain from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

"When dialing 3-1-1, please be patient with us, we are still here to deliver the same quality services, but efficient service delivery in the future may take a little longer than you are currently accustomed to," said Brett Deichler, director of 311.

The UG launched the operation as a way to increase efficiency and help solve any questions regarding Wyandotte County.

For more information on 311, visit: http://app2.wycokck.org/311online/

Generally, a chamber of commerce isn't too keen on tax increases.

But the Kansas City, Kan., Chamber of Commerce has decided to endorse a Unified Government proposal that would raise the city's sales tax by 3/8's of a cent.

The KCK Chamber Board of Directors' vote was unanimous.

Should voters approve the tax in a special ballot election on April 13, the revenue generated would be used to fund street repairs and to prevent further cuts to public safety organizations.

Another small step was taken by the Unified Government tonight to make the new Kansas City Wizards stadium a reality.

The UG Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a plan review on the stadium's new outside and "shell" development.

Members of OnGoal, the Wizards ownership group, made a presentation to the commissioners on what the stadium will look like on the outside.

"We're going to build one of the finest stadiums in the world," said David Ficklin, vice president of development at OnGoal, LLC. "That's not an exaggeration."

The stadium will seat just over 16,500 soccer fans. While it will be primarily used for the Wizards, community events and entertainment will also be presented there.

PICTURED: A drawing of the stadium presented to the Unified Government this month.

The Metropolitan Baptist Church is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year.

To mark the occasion, members of the church wanted to name a portion of 9th Street between State Avenue and Washington Blvd. to Dr. R.L. Baynham Drive.

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners approved the idea last week at its meeting, pending approval from three tenants in the area.

Pictured are members of the church.

If you did not see Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon's State of the Government address, it will be available on UGTV, or Channel 2 on Time Warner.

It will air the following times on these days:

Wednesday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m., noon, 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.  
Sunday: 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

The Kansas City Star has an interesting article today on the Unified Government's efforts to have the Kansas Legislature approve legislation allowing the county to use private vendors in collecting taxes.

Here's the story.

Of course, budget situations have forced the hand of many governing bodies in trying to increase revenue.

Last year the county did battle with Nebraska Furniture Mart on delinquent tax payments. After losing millions of dollars in state aid, the UG had to make a number of decisions that cut the county's workforce, slash spending in all departments and implemented furloughs.

With a revenue shortfall of $40 million so far, the Kansas Legislature is likely going to make more cuts that would affect budgets in Wyandotte County.

One reason the bill could see some opposition is the fear the private vendors could abuse their power, or as UG Commission Nathan Barnes put it, "strong-arm" residents in paying taxes.

Today marks another furlough day for Unified Government employees. Offices are closed, although the District Attorney's offices and judicial offices remain open.

On Monday, employees will have a regularly scheduled day off for Presidents Day.

UG offices across the county will reopen Tuesday morning.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will deliver his State of the Government address today in the Jack Reardon Civic Center.

The speech will begin at 12 p.m.

In the address, Reardon is expected to touch on economic issues in the county and recap the year, which included tough budget cuts for the UG.

Unified Government/Mayor CEO Joe Reardon will speak to residents of Wyandotte County from noon – 2 p.m. this Friday.

The West Wyandotte Library, located at 1737 N. 82nd Street, will host the event.

For more information, contact the library at (913) 596-5800.

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The Unified Government Board of Commissioners last week unanimously approved of a motion to establish a sales tax election on April 13.

The ballot question calls for a 3/8-cent sales tax increase that would generate $6 million, along with an additional $2.25 million in Village West. The Village West revenue would pay off sales tax revenue bonds.

The sales tax is expected to be used for both public safety and infrastructure.

Last fall, a discussion was held by commissioners to determine which path the majority of the funding would go.

In the official ordinance, both infrastructure and public safety are mentioned. Both the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department are facing a shortfall of force. About 20 police officers are needed for the KCKPD to be considered as full strength.

The key passage:

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners deems it advisable to provide for an additional source of revenue to finance public safety and neighborhood infrastructure, including the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads, curbs, and sidewalks within the City by imposition of a three-eighths of one percent citywide retailers’ sales tax (the “Sales Tax”), provided that the electors of the City authorize such Sales Tax at an election held for such purpose;

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon will join Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach and Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer in addressing the Kansas Legislature.

The three mayors are expected to talk about the partnerships the three cities have formed and to "invite Legislative leaders to join an effort to work cooperatively to address budget problems and other issues," a press release said.

Reardon, Gerlach and Brewer will appear before the Kansas Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

At around 10:30 a.m., they'll make a presentation to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

“The message the three Mayors will deliver is that our cities, as major urban areas, are important partners with the State in efforts to get the Kansas economy moving again,” said Mike Taylor, spokesperson for the UG. “Just as Kansas City, Overland Park and Wichita are working together toward common goals, the Kansas Legislature is being invited to also engage in a spirit of cooperation and partnerships with cities.”

In a continuation of a public hearing for a TIF development that stretches from 39th and Rainbow to 40th and Adams in Rosedale, more information was released about the project.

But concerns from business owners already in the area remain, which were voiced at Thursday night's Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire project is $35 million and includes an 89-room hotel, over 60 "Class A" departments and 30,000 of mixed retail and businesses.

Chase Simmons of Polsinelli Law Firm spoke out in representation of Rainbow Redevelopment Partners, the group responsible for the development of the TIF project.

"It's very consistent with the Rosedale Master Plan," he said. "You see buildings and structures very much like these in Rosedale."

In order to establish a TIF district, nine criteria must be met in the area. Two independent studies established that nine criteria exist, Simmons said.

While the majority of Thursday night's attendants strongly support the TIF project, a few tenants within the district have questions about it.

Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers Sports Bar & Grill – which is located inside the TIF boundaries – said the lack of action has left his business and the bar's 15 employees in limbo.

"We are still a business," he said. "A valuable business. We're still trying to do good things in the community."

Since opening about three years ago, Jaywalkers has generated $130,000 in sales tax. Nelson said 15 employees at the business are unsure if they'll have jobs soon.

"We don't feel like we're part of the process," he said.

Carl Scruggs, who's also a tenant in the area, voiced similar concerns.

"I was not aware of the project," he said. "I'm not quite sure what the next step is for my business."

Interestingly, both said the TIF project would be good for the Rosedale area.

Simmons said the development's partners will work with the area owners. But....

"We can't make everyone feel great right now and say we can buy them out."

As for the project, it's scheduled completion date would be Fall 2011 if everything is approved. Other representatives for the project said Mariott is close to an agreement on becoming the hotel brand associated with the TIF project.

At Thursday's meeting, nothing was approved as it was just a public hearing.

PHOTO: Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers addresses the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners at Thursday night's meeting. The UG held a public hearing about a TIF development project on 39th and Rainbow.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon is currently a guest of a very prominent individual.

Reardon, who is joining other mayors this week in Washington D.C., is meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss job creation.

Reardon is expected to speak about the new Cerner Campus, the new Kansas City Wizards stadium, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village. All of the construction projects will create thousands of new jobs.

According to the Unified Government, Reardon is paying for the trip out of his own pocket rather than with UG funds.

The final step necessary for the start of construction of the new Cerner/Kansas City Wizards project could be complete tomorrow.

After a deal was finalized with the State of Kansas, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County will hold a special commission meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. in City Hall.

Should the UG formally approve the deal tomorrow, construction will begin immediately.

The project is located at Village West.

The $414 million Kansas City Wizards-Cerner Office Campus project could create over 8,000 jobs, which would be largest job creation project in the history of Wyandotte County.

Once completed in 2011, the entire project will triple the number of jobs in Village West from 4,473 to 12,791. The total payroll of the Village West jobs would skyrocket to $334 million from an original $81 million figure.

Robert Frey, a local attorney, has been appointed to the Unified Government's Ethics Commission.

Frey, a graduate of Washburn University's School of Law, has previously served in the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas State Senate.

Outside of the State House, he's served as an attorney for different governments as an assistant county attorney, county counselor and hearing officer. He currently serves as the President of the Westbridge Homeowner's Association.

His appointment will be effective on Feb. 4. He will serve out the term of Rhonda Smiley, who was unable to complete her term.