Three Ballot Questions Could Add $300 to Parkville Tax Bills

Parkville, Missouri, has three property tax questions on the November ballot, each addressing a different city expense and each requiring its own approval from voters.

Proposition P would raise money for police personnel, equipment and training, including the potential addition of two officers, and would run 10 years. Proposition I, also set for 10 years, would cover street repairs, sidewalks, curbs and stormwater work. Proposition F would fund repairs and replacement of city buildings and equipment over 20 years. The city estimates that approval of all three would add roughly $300 a year in city property taxes for the owner of a $400,000 home.

The city said in a statement that without the levies it would continue services at current revenue levels but would have to reduce them as funds allow, evaluating future budgets, staffing, maintenance schedules and capital projects within available resources. Should the levies pass, the city said, they would be reviewed annually with the option to lower them based on those needs.

Dean Wilhite, who has watched the city change over the years, said he wants clearer accounting before casting a ballot. "I'd like a little more accountability. I have attended some public meetings and I ask questions and I do not receive answers," he said. He also noted his own bill: "It's becoming a little ridiculous, and I have the senior citizens tax credit. My property taxes went up anyway last year, and they say, 'Oh, it's because of the schools.' Well, they didn't tell us that part. Here we go again."

Wilhite has set his own bar for support. "Show me the numbers. Show me the evidence. It's real simple. I mean, there's not a lot of you know magic to this. Just show us what's going on," he said.

Each proposition appears as a separate ballot question, so voters can approve all three, reject all three or split their choices. The questions will be decided in the November election.