I just got a copy of a new poll that shows a surprising number of Kansas Citians might back a half-cent sales tax to finance the city's $3-billion-or-so wastewater problem.
The poll is part of the planning process being used by KC's Water Services Department to find out how it's going to fund the sewer fixes, required by the federal government.
But here's a caveat: The poll showed that 60 percent of respondents were either "very supportive" or "somewhat supportive" of a sales tax used to "improve parks and pay for stormwater improvements."
In other words, it's unclear whether people really want to fix the sewers with this tax -- or whether they were attracted to the tax because it might improve KC's parks system.
The poll also showed that Kansas Citians are not excited at all about paying higher property taxes.
As for higher sewer bills -- which are coming, no doubt about it -- the poll showed Kansas Citians don't really want that to be the only way to repair the sewers.
Instead, they favor a combination of the sales tax with higher sewer/water bills.
Bottom line: The city's consultants on this issue hope to have a plan by April on how to make the massive investments in KC's wastewater system.
Despite the poll results, I wouldn't be surprised if a sales-tax increase did not show up on that final list. Voters are feeling the fatigue of voting for so many sales taxes in recent years.
And there are two more sales-tax elections scheduled this year: One for the Area Transportation Authority,/strong> in April and one (probably in November) for a new light-rail system.
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... on everything until I get my 40 remaining cops... a promise is a promise.
The original thinking was 1/4 cent each to Water and Parks Depts
This is a much bigger math problem than the statutory authorization to collect a 1/2 cent sales tax to improve parks and pay for stormwater improvements was intended to solve.
Even if the entire sales tax was devoted to the sewer issues it would take more than 80 years to collect 3 billion dollars in sales taxes. Since the EPA isn't likely to accept an 80 year pay as you go plan, assume double that commitment to provide debt service for bonds.
If passed as intended with half the annual sales tax collection passed through to Parks Department programs there could be a corresponding reduction in general revenue support for parks which the Mayor has historically advocated.