Platte County Children’s Fund makes the November ballot
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a nearly month-long legal process, Platte County voters will get to weigh in on a sales tax to build the Platte County Children’s Fund after all.
A group called Platte County 4 Kids got enough signatures certified to put a 1/4 cent sales tax on the November ballot to fund the Platte County Children’s Fund, which is expected to raise about $5 million every year.
Mental health organizations could then apply for grants from that pot of money to be awarded by a board that would be appointed by the Platte County Commissioners.
But, after certifying the signature, the Platte County Board of Elections (BOE) told Platte County 4 Kids that the BOE didn’t have the authority to put the issue on the ballot itself and it needed an order either from a court or the Platte County Commissioners.
Salvador Pérez stops to play neighborhood wiffleball game with KCK kids
“I think one of the things that perhaps caught some peopel off gaurd is that its been a long time if ever that Platte County has utilized a signature pathway to get an issue in front of the voters,” said Synergy Services Executive Director Dennis Meier.
For a while, it wasn’t clear if the legal process would play out fast enough to get the issue on the November ballot by the August 27, 5 pm deadline. Friday, after a hearing in the morning, a Platte County Judge issued the order to the BOE to put the issue on the ballot.
BOE Director Wendy Flanigan confirmed to FOX4 that legal order will result in the Children’s Fund question being on the ballot in November.
Meier says the more than 5,000 people who submitted their signatures understand the need for these kinds of services.
“They understood that the ratio between providers and the youth and children who need services is so huge in Platte County,” said Meier. “When you ahve 840 patients or clients to one provider, that ratio is just so out of balance that people begin to understand this is something that’s real important.”
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