For years, some of this area’s most valuable museums have sought extra public funds to sustain and improve their facilities. Elected officials have balked, citing other priorities and tight budgets.
Soon, however, the issue of whether to better finance these cultural institutions could be in voters’ hands.
Kansas City officials may place an 8-cent property tax increase for museums on the August ballot; the deadline for doing so is May 22.
Before then, however, City Council and museum officials must address key concerns. Among them: How much each museum would receive, who would oversee the money, and what the funds would buy.
At a meeting today, council members expect to hear funding requests from the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, Union Station and the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
A property tax increase has some merit. It would:
Dedicate extra money for valuable cultural institutions that attract thousands of people each year.
Demonstrate to suburban areas that Kansas City is willing to contribute significantly more to support attractions such as Union Station and Liberty Memorial. This could bolster the city’s argument for more help from the suburbs through a regional tax for cultural institutions.
If Kansas City voters approve the property tax increase, the city’s museum tax revenue would rise to $6.5 million annually, up from $1.3 million. About $2 million of the new money, however, would be used to replace general city tax revenue that could then be used for other city services.
The additional cost to the owner of a $100,000 house would be a little over $15 a year.
Corinthian Hall currently receives all the revenue from the museum tax.
While the tax proposal has advantages, Kansas Citians have several other concerns as well. These include rapidly rising sewer bills that are needed to fix the city’s aging wastewater system.
City officials also expect to place a sales-tax increase on the November ballot to help finance a light-rail line.
Elected officials have just eight days to decide whether voters should be asked to consider a property tax increase in August. More details must be provided before these officials can make that decision.
