Lenexa residents are already pleased with their roads and parks. In fact, their satisfaction scores are the highest of all those reported in recent metropolitan-area surveys.
But Lenexa officials say it will take more money to properly maintain the city’s extensive road system and to improve the growing parks system.
So the city is asking voters to approve a three-eighths-cent sales tax for roads, parks and a new civic center.
Ballots in the mail-in election were sent to voters last week. Ballots must be received by noon on May 27 at the Johnson County election offices.
The city has put together a solid plan to use the funds, and the tax deserves a “yes” vote.
It would raise $3.5 million annually and expire in 20 years. The city’s sales-tax rate would rise to 7.9 percent, one of the highest in the area.
Lenexa officials pledge to use the extra money for three general purposes:
Street maintenance, which would include resurfacing roads, filling potholes, fixing curbs and gutters, and replacing sidewalks and streetlights.
Lenexa has an excellent plan to keep its roads in good shape. They cost more to repair as they deteriorate — and far more to replace if ignored for too long, as other cities have discovered.
Park improvements such as new trails, soccer fields, playgrounds, shelters and ball fields.
The city deserves credit for trying to devote a specific source of revenue for its parks, which are a high priority for residents.
A new civic center, which is planned to include a gymnasium, walking track, meeting rooms and classrooms.
The city has sought potential partners — such as the Johnson County Community College and the county’s library system — that could use space in the building and should share construction costs.
The city also appears ready to forgo swimming facilities because a private operator could open such a facility nearby. This seems reasonable.
City officials have made the appropriate decision to ask voters whether they want to spend extra money on street and park maintenance.
Passing the sales tax would boost the quality of life in Lenexa.
Seriously can anyone recall when this newspaper did NOT endorse a tax increase, I mean ANY tax increase?
If so someone please point it out to me. I mean I have been reading this thing pretty regularly now for several years, but I can not specifically recall ANY editorial screaming VOTE NO on the proposed increase in the (name your poison, sales, property, etc.)tax.
If any of you all, or anyone on the staff of this paper would care to point out such an occurence, I would appreciate it.