With just over 24 hours before the deadline to finalize the April ballot, the Jackson County Legislature voted 7-2 to override County Executive Frank White’s veto, paving the way for Jackson County voters to decide on a stadium sales tax renewal.
The ballot question, now set to take place on April 2, will ask voters to renew a 3/8ths cent sales tax for the next 40 years. The funds would be split equally between the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals for stadium projects.
The ballot measure will go before voters after some drama after the legislature initially voted 8-1 in favor of putting the measure on the ballot. Then, ten days later, Frank White vetoed the vote and seemed to have enough support in the legislature to keep the sales tax renewal off the April ballot. Initially, legislators Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer, Megan Marshall, and Sean Smith supported White’s veto, leaving the legislature without the necessary six votes needed to override the veto.
Catch Up on the Stadium Funding Issue
The deadline to finalize the ballot language was Jan. 23. The day before the deadline, Anderson and Smith changed their stance at a legislative meeting, ensuring the needed majority for the override.
The two cited hearing from residents who wanted to vote on the issue, fearing that Jackson County would lose the Chiefs and Royals if the measure didn’t pass. In comments before the veto override, Anderson seemed to indicate that labor groups pushed him to allow voters to decide.
“I know that politics gets brought into these things, and people say things they don’t mean,” said Anderson. “But I want to make it very clear that I’m pro-labor; being pro-labor is what my family was and is, and that’s what this county is all about.”
Legislator Smith pointed to a letter of intent signed by the teams and the county ahead of the deadline as the cause for his change of heart.
“While there are many additional details still to be finalized and put into various lease documents and Community Benefits Agreements, the level of detail and the concessions the teams have made are sufficient for me to vote to overturn the veto of the county executive,” said Smith in a statement.
Legislators Megan Marshall and Jeanie Lauer supported the executive’s veto, resulting in a 7-2 vote to place the stadium sales tax renewal on the April ballot.
Outstanding Questions
The ballot question has significant implications for the future of the Royals and Chiefs in Jackson County. The teams have emphasized that their continued presence in the county relies on the passage of the 3/8th cent sales tax in April.
Despite the looming vote, neither team has finalized plans or negotiated new leases or development agreements with the county. While progress is reportedly being made, representatives from the Royals and Chiefs, along with Jackson County officials, acknowledge several unresolved issues.
County Executive Frank White, in a statement preceding the legislative meeting on Monday, highlighted the teams’ commitment to a letter of intent adopted by the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. The letter of intent is, however, not legally binding.
Key concerns include the absence of a final site location for the Royals, enforceable leases, a commitment from the Chiefs to retain its training facilities and headquarters in Jackson County, and a formal community benefits agreement. Advocacy from workers’ rights groups has emphasized the importance of such an agreement to ensure living wages for stadium workers and affordable housing.
In a joint letter from the Chiefs and Royals, the teams committed to finalizing terms before the election, including the Royals selecting a site location by Feb. 29. The teams also expressed a commitment to substantial private contributions to their respective projects. However, the exact monetary details remain undisclosed.
A major point of contention revolves around the financing of the demolition of Kauffman Stadium. White has been adamant that the county should not bear the financial burden, and the Royals have indicated that financing options are being explored to avoid placing the county at risk.
With the April vote looming, the teams and county officials continue to navigate complex negotiations. The clock is ticking to resolve these questions, but the fate of the stadium sales tax rests in the hands of the voters.
