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KC mayor wants $1 billion for infrastructure
Feb 10, 2012, 11:33 AM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City needs $1 billion in new spending over the next 10 years to adequately address a backlog of maintenance problems and crumbling infrastructure, Mayor Sly James said.
James asked the City Council on Thursday to allow the city to issue $100 million in general obligation bonds every year for the next 10 years, which would make it the largest amount in the city's history, The Kansas City Star reported. Voters would also have to approve the request.
"I feel strongly that we need to start doing something about our infrastructure problem," James said, "or stop complaining about it."
In 2004, Kansas City voters authorized $300 million in general obligation bonds for numerous infrastructure improvements, although tens of millions of those dollars went for the zoo and Liberty Memorial. The $300 million will be gone by May of this year.
If the City Council and voters approve, the $1 billion in bonds probably would require a property tax increase, the paper reported. The owner of a $150,000 house and a $15,000 car would pay more than $400 in additional taxes by the end of the 10 years, city finance officials estimated.
City Council members gave James a standing ovation after he summarized his budget message, but said it was too early to commit to a bond election.
"I admire the fact that he's taken it on," said Jan Marcason, who heads the council's finance committee. "I think we're going to consider it because it is a high priority for our residents."
Russ Johnson, chairman of the council's transportation and infrastructure committee, said the mayor's proposal would allow city officials to convey to residents that if they want their city fixed, it will cost money.
James proposed rebuilding depressed neighborhoods six square blocks at a time, at $10 million to $15 million per project. He also called for rebuilding 10 to 20 miles of roadway each year, at $5 million per mile. The city also would spend $20 million a year rebuilding sidewalks and would complete $60 million in bridge repairs.
Part of the bond money, the mayor said, could be used to help the city replace its crumbling water mains, although much of that work would be paid for with continuing water rate increases.
The council will adopt a new budget March 22 and it takes effect May 1.
James asked the City Council on Thursday to allow the city to issue $100 million in general obligation bonds every year for the next 10 years, which would make it the largest amount in the city's history, The Kansas City Star reported. Voters would also have to approve the request.
"I feel strongly that we need to start doing something about our infrastructure problem," James said, "or stop complaining about it."
In 2004, Kansas City voters authorized $300 million in general obligation bonds for numerous infrastructure improvements, although tens of millions of those dollars went for the zoo and Liberty Memorial. The $300 million will be gone by May of this year.
If the City Council and voters approve, the $1 billion in bonds probably would require a property tax increase, the paper reported. The owner of a $150,000 house and a $15,000 car would pay more than $400 in additional taxes by the end of the 10 years, city finance officials estimated.
City Council members gave James a standing ovation after he summarized his budget message, but said it was too early to commit to a bond election.
"I admire the fact that he's taken it on," said Jan Marcason, who heads the council's finance committee. "I think we're going to consider it because it is a high priority for our residents."
Russ Johnson, chairman of the council's transportation and infrastructure committee, said the mayor's proposal would allow city officials to convey to residents that if they want their city fixed, it will cost money.
James proposed rebuilding depressed neighborhoods six square blocks at a time, at $10 million to $15 million per project. He also called for rebuilding 10 to 20 miles of roadway each year, at $5 million per mile. The city also would spend $20 million a year rebuilding sidewalks and would complete $60 million in bridge repairs.
Part of the bond money, the mayor said, could be used to help the city replace its crumbling water mains, although much of that work would be paid for with continuing water rate increases.
The council will adopt a new budget March 22 and it takes effect May 1.
