Staff pitches dedicated parks sales tax; March 2 mail ballot and three rate options proposed

Staff presented a range of funding strategies Sept. 28 and recommended the committee consider placing a dedicated parks-and-recreation sales tax on the March 2, 2027 mail ballot. The staff presentation described existing revenue sources, noted the Johnson County courthouse sales tax expiration in 2027 and presented three sales-tax options to address a revised roughly $248 million funding deficit.

Kate (Speaker 2) summarized options and timing, noting possible rates from 0.125'cent to 0.375'cent and explaining that, "Again, an 8'cent generates approximately $8,800,000 as identified in the 2027 budget." Staff proposed continuing discussion through November, bringing a recommendation to the Committee of the Whole on Nov. 2, and allowing city council action on Nov. 2 or Nov. 16; an earliest collection start date of Oct. 1, 2027 and a 10-year sunset of Sept. 30, 2037 were presented as examples.

Staff explained that ballot language will determine allowable uses for any dedicated sales-tax revenue; they emphasized the revenue is primarily for capital projects and asset management, not ongoing staffing. Staff also warned of pending state legislative efforts that could limit future mail-ballot elections and restrict city outreach about ballot measures.

Provenance:
Topic intro: SEG 685; Topic finish: SEG 807