Mayor Q Seyz Fully Funding Police Kills Kansas City Development

THIS is a strange argument to make but maybe the only power move that gets the attention of the civic & donor class. 

However . . .

TRADING GREEDY DEVELOPER CORPORATE WELFARE INCENTIVES FOR POLICE FUNDING DURING A HISTORIC & DEADLY CRIME WAVE IS A DEAL THAT MOST VOTERS WOULD GLADLY ACCEPT!!!

Here's a passage that speaks to the ongoing debate following a Missouri vote that didn't quite settle this issue given that Hollywood accounting that rules most American cities . . .

“Anybody who suggests that this is some sort of a money grab by the board at the expense of developer incentives or any other funds in the city is flat wrong,” Spencer Fane LLP attorney Patrick McInerney said. “The police board’s cross claim is nothing other than saying: ‘Show us all of the money here. Count the money fully and fairly and transparently, and then we’ll talk about what the general revenue is.’” 

Lucas disagreed, saying suggestions that the claim wouldn't affect development are tantamount to "(having) one's head in the sand." He warned of a "substantial chilling effect" on local development and material financial consequences for projects — past, existing and future — in a Nov. 16 email to stakeholders, including Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce representatives. 

 "This would say, if agreed to, that you need to unwind at least a portion of every single economic deal that you have incentives on and give us 25% of it," Lucas said Wednesday. "And the question will be, can every (incentive) deal in Kansas City on the books right now sustain a 25% reduction? I would submit to you the answer is most likely not, particularly for deals that have already passed."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Lucas says Police board claim could upend city's development incentive deals - Kansas City Business Journal

Four-fifths of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners argue that the city's accounting for incentives shortchanges the required minimum contribution to the police department each year - a legal argument that Mayor Quinton Lucas said could wreak havoc on development.