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A big piece of the puzzle for the Kansas City Royals’ new stadium is now in the hands of Jackson County voters.
The Jackson County Council voted 8-1 Monday to place a sales tax measure on the April ballot to help fund the stadium.
If passed, the bill would renew the current three-eighths cent sales tax for 40 years, with revenue split equally between the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.
Congress’ push for the bill clears one important hurdle for the Royals’ owner, who had noted that the 3/8 cent sales tax was essential to financing a new stadium. Jackson County Council had until Jan. 23 to approve the measure in order for it to be put on the April ballot, as the owners wanted.
Rep. Megan Marshall was the only non-voter.
Jackson County Executive Frank White, who has been a vocal opponent of the stadium debate, had asked the Legislature to put the measure on hold for four days. He hoped the county could negotiate further with the Royals and extract more concessions.
White did not say Monday whether he would veto the legislative action. He has 10 days to make his decision, and Congress will need six votes to override his veto.
“I’ve always believed that when you move into a business as dynamic as this, you should have a lease in place before you put it to a vote,” White said after the vote.
The stadium excise tax was previously on the ballot in 2006, when the Royals signed a lease before the April election.
The Royals have not yet chosen a site for their proposed $2 billion ballpark and entertainment district. The team is reportedly considering three locations: East Village in downtown Kansas City, East Crossroads at the site of the former Kansas City Star Building, and North Kansas City in Clay County.
However, the Royals promised If voters approve the stadium sales tax, it would remain in Jackson County.
It’s unclear when the Royals will make a final decision. Jackson County Councilman Manny Abarca IV said taxpayers should know the location of the site before the April election.
“That would be ideal,” Abarca said. “I think people need to know where to put their teams to vote.”
Neither team has finalized a lease with the county, and the current lease at Truman Sports Complex ends in 2031.
White said the team’s request for a new stadium seems more like a desire than a need.
“I think the taxpayers have a right to sign a lease, a contract,” White said. “I don’t think anyone knows when they’re going to come back to the table when you’re open like this.”
White has also said he wants a community benefits agreement with the Royals, but labor rights groups are calling for a living wage for stadium workers, union jobs and affordable housing in the stadium district. They argue that this agreement is extremely important in order to guarantee the
White said such agreements are “essential to ensure the project delivers tangible and lasting benefits to our community.”
Ahead of Monday’s parliamentary meeting, workers’ rights groups announced that the royal couple had agreed to negotiate a community benefits agreement.
“If it’s not on the table, it’s on the menu,” said Stand Up KC leader Terrence Wise. “So being able to sit at the table and have a voice and be able to negotiate anything is definitely a win.”
White’s other demand for the Royals is a deal that covers costs related to the demolition of Kauffman Stadium and that both the Royals and Chiefs maintain front office and training facilities in Jackson County during the lease term. It’s a promise.
White told Congress on Monday that he has asked for $25 million a year from the Royals and Chiefs, or the equivalent of $1 billion over 40 years. White said the request is still being negotiated.
“This commitment is not just a matter of local pride; it is also about economic stability and the continued growth of our county,” White said. statement.
On Friday, the Chiefs released a joint statement with the Royals pledging to remain in Jackson County if voters renew the sales tax. The Chiefs said the tax will fund “extensive renovations” to Arrowhead Stadium.
The statement also helped allay concerns that teams could jump state lines in search of more lucrative contracts.
The Royals also committed to covering the insurance costs of the new stadium for 40 years, which the team claims will save Jackson County between $80 million and $100 million.
The teams also said they would not ask Jackson County for revenue collected from the parks levy, which currently pays $3.5 million a year to the Truman Sports Complex. The Royals will receive half of that funding.
The Chiefs and Royals said these concessions will save the county a total of about $200 million.
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