Jackson County Exec Seems Skeptical About Stadium Future

Local news is just reporting the first paragraph of this press release tonight.

However . . .

Dive deeper and this line stands out to us and deserves consideration:

"Maintaining the current financial arrangement is not in the best interest of Jackson County."

 In fairness, we think the word from the courthouse deserves the focus in this post, in full:

 Jackson County Executive Statement

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  –  Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement after meeting with Governor Mike Parson:
 
“Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Parson to discuss our mutual interest in ensuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals continue to call Jackson County home. It was a productive conversation centered on the pride these teams bring to our community and the importance of developing a fair and sustainable plan for the future.
 
“Our community is large and diverse, and it needs a government that works in its best interest. I made it clear to Governor Parson, as I have to the public before, during, and after the recent stadium sales tax campaign, that before I can support any new proposal, it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County. Additionally, the financial burden of supporting these teams must be equitably shared among all parties.
 
“Maintaining the current financial arrangement is not in the best interest of Jackson County and its residents as it hampers our ability to provide essential health and public safety services. Governor Parson understands these challenges and commends our commitment to fiscal responsibility.
 
“Finally, I want to thank Governor Parson for his service to Missouri and for his willingness to work collaboratively with us on this and many other issues. We are hopeful that, regardless of who succeeds him in a few months, the state will continue to support our efforts. Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community.”
 
Background Information

On June 27, 1967, Jackson County voters approved a $102 million general obligation bond package. The money financed a new Kansas City hospital, flood control upgrades along the Little Blue River, and road improvements in rural and suburban parts of the county. The package’s big-ticket item – then priced at $43 million, or about $400 million in current dollars – became the Truman Sports Complex.
 
In 1990, county voters approved increasing the county's park tax levy, which now generates $3.5 million annually for the complex. In 2006, county voters approved a new 3/8 cent sales tax to support the renovation and ongoing maintenance and improvements of both Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums. The teams committed to playing their games in their current stadiums until 2031, with two five-year options following 2030. The sales tax now generates approximately $50 million annually.
 
Each year, the state of Missouri contributes $3 million and the city of Kansas City contributes $2 million to support the stadiums. In 2023, the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority's annual financial report estimated the taxes generated from the teams to be:

    State of Missouri: $34,929,233
    City of Kansas City: $18,266,397
    Jackson County: $2,607,707

On April 2, 2024, Jackson County voters rejected a proposal for a new 3/8 cent parks sales tax that would have continued for forty years for the sole purpose of supporting the Royals and Chiefs’ stadiums.
 
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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Missouri Gov. Parson meets with local leaders about Chiefs, Royals

Meeting with officials at the city and county level, Governor Mike Parson joined the fight to keep the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri.

Frank White says he and Gov. Parson had 'productive conversation' on keeping Royals, Chiefs in Jackson County

Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said Monday conversations between him and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson were productive regarding plans to keep the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs in Jackson County.

Developing . . .