In a split vote, board approves tax increase
Stanton refers to some aldermen as ‘weak’
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by Kathy Crawford
Landmark reporter
Platte City has an increased tax levy rate, but it was not arrived at easily and the vote ended in a tie twice before finally passing.
A majority of the Platte City Board of Aldermen agreed to increase the levy to $1.0395 per $100 of assessed valuation, which was the proposed amount at the start of the Aug. 24 meeting.
Alderman Andy Stanton argued several times throughout city administrator Jason Metten's presentation that some costs the city could live without. He began with city staff cost of living allowances (COLA). Stanton said he favored higher merit raises instead.
“We are paid fairly well,” he said. “We just did (COLA) last year, and I'd like to skip it one year.”
Mayor Frank Offutt said that COLA serves two purposes. One is the obvious increase in salary. The other is that each section of the budget was set to work with COLA in place.
Another issue for Stanton was the purchase of TASER guns for the police department.
He also disagreed with a provision in the budget for uniforms.
“I think we can wear our own clothes,” he said.
A motion was made to vote on the proposed levy increase of 1.0395.
“I say hell no,” Stanton said. “You board members who are kind of weak, we could have slashed this, but I couldn't get any help.”
After some discussion, the board's vote was split down the middle. Then a motion was made to vote on the existing amount of 1.0095. The board members voted three-to-three again.
Offutt told board members that with valuations down, a home valued at $150,000 should be an increase of about $45 per year with the proposed tax levy amount. He then granted a short break, after which the discussion continued.
“It's not just a matter of being weak,” board member John Higgins said to Stanton. “Just do your homework and think about the future.”
The board members voted a third time on the proposed amount of 1.0395 and it passed with a vote of four to two. Stanton and Paolillo voted no, which still gave the board its majority of four yes votes. Voting in favor of the tax increase were aldermen Ron Stone, Debbie Kirkpatrick, John Higgins, and Charles Cook.
Cook was the board member who switched his stance. In early motions, Cook had opposed the tax increase.
The fiscal year will run from Nov. 1, 2010 until Oct. 31, 2011. |
