Re: Fixing the KC Zoo (ongoing)
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:55 pm
I wouldn't try it, at least not until years later, if you want it to pass.
A state law allows the creation of a zoo taxing district if voters approve in Jackson, Clay, Platte or Cass counties. It would have to pass in Jackson, at least, before the district could exist in the other counties....
But language being proposed says a zoo district could only take effect in Jackson County if it were approved in at least one other county. That would not mirror the statute.
?Our position is that would probably throw the whole thing into legal question,? said Chuck Caisley, head of a Friends of the Zoo committee working for the election. Caisley said Wednesday that the organization has lawyers seeking to clarify the matter"
Jackson County officials agreed to drop an earlier condition in their ordinance that would have required the zoo tax to pass in at least one other county before it could take effect in Jackson.
Along with the Tbones and the Ag Hall of Fame? . Sorry, had to do it.kansas wrote: We went to the zoo in June and for two JoCo residents and two kids it felt very expensive and the fees for everything frankly added up to a lot. Deanna Rose is more our speed.
Yeah, pretty muchGRID wrote: Along with the Tbones and the Ag Hall of Fame? . Sorry, had to do it.
but can't JoCo residents afford it?kansas wrote: We went to the zoo in June and for two JoCo residents and two kids it felt very expensive and the fees for everything frankly added up to a lot. Deanna Rose is more our speed.
I think residents of any county it passes in get 1/2 price admission and more programs in schools.GRID wrote: Will Jackson County residents get preferential treatment or are they bending over again for the suburban counties?
GRID wrote: Will Jackson County residents get preferential treatment or are they bending over again for the suburban counties?
Is that going to be like the discounted tickets Jackson County residents get to Royals games that no one else wants to go to? If it isn't half price all day every day, then no thanks.KC-wildcat wrote:
"zoo has put in writing specific benefits for residents of counties that pass the tax, such as half-price admission and better animal education programs in schools."
A discount for supporting counties sounds fair, but before it becomes actually free, I would say to tack that $11 onto the parking. That would also make lowering the price even easier in general. If the St. Louis Zoo can not only be an awesome zoo, a legitimate research institution with significant conservation programs (seriously, compare the two zoos in that regard), yet still be free (for anybody, not just STL residents) if you are willing to walk, the KC Zoo should be able to as well. at the very least, Mizzou, MDC, and possibly even K-State should chip in to jump-start the research program.GRID wrote: A dedicated funding source like this could send it straight to a top zoo in the midwest. Hope it passes and I hope JaCo residents get discounted or free tickets for funding it.
Rightfully so, zoo officials are asking courts to put the tax on the ballots in Cass and Platte counties as well.
Both county commissions used disingenuous reasons for dismissing the zoo issue. Consider the Platte County political whining about the cost of a special election.
Hmmm, let’s look back to 2009, when Plunkett and Dusenberry put a sales tax renewal for county parks on the ballot.
Guess what? It was a special election that cost taxpayers $60,000.
Saw some campaign signs on Ward Parkway last night. "Save OUR Zoos" or something like that with a cute cartoon penguin on the sign. If you vote against this, you want to kill cute penguins.“That gave us the confidence” to forge ahead with a Nov. 8 ballot issue in Jackson and Clay counties to create a regional zoo district supported by a 1/8-cent sales tax, Caisley said at a kickoff event in front of the zoo.
In return, the zoo promises penguins as well as perks for participating counties. Officials say passage would mean a $70 million to $100 million infusion for the zoo over the next decade, creating as many as 1,200 construction jobs and more than 100 new permanent jobs.
The tax would cost a shopper in Jackson or Clay county one cent per $8 of purchases. It would generate about $14.2 million a year, more than doubling the zoo’s current operating budget of $11.6 million. That would still not be as much as the St. Louis Zoo but would surpass the Oklahoma City Zoo and approach the budget of the Denver Zoo.
Did it have to be either - or?DaveKCMO wrote:i suspect they were hoping to have a regional transit vote instead of a zoo vote, especially in jackson county's case. they may also actually hate penguins.