GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI
F
A
Q
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY DOES GRANDVIEW NEED A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX?
Grandview's considerable growth over the past five years brings with it more calls for service to police and fire.
​
Grandview Police Department has seen a nearly 18% increase in calls since 2013.
​
Grandview Fire Department ended 2017 with a 16% increase in medical calls in just one year. On average, mutual aid ambulances from surrounding cities respond to calls 1-2 times a day because Grandview Fire Department's two ambulances and Firefighters/Paramedics are busy working other calls.
​
Another challenge for Grandview Fire and Police Departments is retaining current, experienced Police Officers and Firefighters/Paramedics. Currently, both departments are losing veteran personnel to surrounding cities with better pay and/or benefits. Turnover and a shrinking pool of qualified applicants are making recruitment more challenging. If approved, the Public Safety Sales Tax would allow Grandview Police and Fire Departments to offer more competitive pay for both experienced staff and future recruits.
​
​
What if I vote
YES?
-
Adds an estimated $1.3 million in funding for Public Safety.
-
Grandview Police and Fire Departments will add personnel to meet growing demands.
-
Citizens will see an increased level of service and faster response times.
-
Public Safety personnel will receive competitive pay and benefits to help retention, as well as recruitment.
​
HOW WOULD PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX FUNDS BE SPENT?
Police Department:
-2 Traffic/Special Ops Officers
-2 Detectives
-2 Civilian Courtesy Officers
-1 IT Specialist
​
Fire Department:
-6 Firefighters to staff additional ambulance
​
Police & Fire:
Provide competitive compensation packages to compete with area agencies in recruitment and retention of Police, Fire and Paramedic staff.
​
Citywide:
Staffing & Classification Studies and compensation.
What if I vote
NO?
-
Grandview Police & Fire will continue to provide the best possible service with available resources.
-
Ambulances from surrounding cities will continue to respond to calls in Grandview 1-2 times daily on average.
-
Compensation and benefits for Grandview Police & Fire Departments will continue to lag behind other metro area cities.
​
HOW DOES A 1/2-CENT
PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX
AFFECT WHAT I PAY?
It would add 3¢ to the cost of a $6 fast food meal.
It would add 15¢ to the cost of a $30 pair of pants.
It would add $2 to the cost of a $400 dishwasher.
​
This sales tax would NOT apply to utilities, gasoline or prescription drug purchases.
​
IF APPROVED, WHAT WOULD BE THE SALES TAX RATE?
The City's sales tax rate of 2.5% has remained the same since 2001 when voters approved a 1/2¢ sales tax for the construction and operation of the community center. The new City Sales tax rate would be 3%.
​
The total sales tax rate, including state and county, would be 8.6%, still considerably lower than surrounding cities in the KC Metro area.
HOW WILL WE KNOW THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED AS PROMISED?
Revenues from this sales tax would be placed in a dedicated public safety sales tax fund and expenditures included in the annual city budget. The budget is published on the city website, grandview. org, and copies are available at City Hall.
DO OTHER MISSOURI CITIES HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX?
Yes, including many in the Kansas City Metro including:
Blue Springs
Independence
Liberty
North Kansas City
Kansas City
This document shows how the
Public Safety Sales Tax will appear on the
April 3, 2018 ballot.
F
A
Q
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY DOES GRANDVIEW NEED A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX?
Grandview's considerable growth over the past five years brings with it more calls for service to police and fire.
​
Grandview Police Department has seen a nearly 18% increase in calls since 2013.
​
Grandview Fire Department ended 2017 with a 16% increase in medical calls in just one year. On average, mutual aid ambulances from surrounding cities respond to calls 1-2 times a day because Grandview Fire Department's two ambulances and Firefighters/Paramedics are busy working other calls.
​
Another challenge for Grandview Fire and Police Departments is retaining current, experienced Police Officers and Firefighters/Paramedics. Currently, both departments are losing veteran personnel to surrounding cities with better pay and/or benefits. Turnover and a shrinking pool of qualified applicants are making recruitment more challenging. If approved, the Public Safety Sales Tax would allow Grandview Police and Fire Departments to offer more competitive pay for both experienced staff and future recruits.
​
​
What if I vote
YES?
-
Adds an estimated $1.3 million in funding for Public Safety.
-
Grandview Police and Fire Departments will add personnel to meet growing demands.
-
Citizens will see an increased level of service and faster response times.
-
Public Safety personnel will receive competitive pay and benefits to help retention, as well as recruitment.
​
HOW WOULD PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX FUNDS BE SPENT?
Police Department:
-2 Traffic/Special Ops Officers
-2 Detectives
-2 Civilian Courtesy Officers
-1 IT Specialist
​
Fire Department:
-6 Firefighters to staff additional ambulance
​
Police & Fire:
Provide competitive compensation packages to compete with area agencies in recruitment and retention of Police, Fire and Paramedic staff.
​
Citywide:
Staffing & Classification Studies and compensation.
What if I vote
NO?
-
Grandview Police & Fire will continue to provide the best possible service with available resources.
-
Ambulances from surrounding cities will continue to respond to calls in Grandview 1-2 times daily on average.
-
Compensation and benefits for Grandview Police & Fire Departments will continue to lag behind other metro area cities.
​
HOW DOES A 1/2-CENT
PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX
AFFECT WHAT I PAY?
It would add 3¢ to the cost of a $6 fast food meal.
It would add 15¢ to the cost of a $30 pair of pants.
It would add $2 to the cost of a $400 dishwasher.
​
This sales tax would NOT apply to utilities, gasoline or prescription drug purchases.
​
IF APPROVED, WHAT WOULD BE THE SALES TAX RATE?
The City's sales tax rate of 2.5% has remained the same since 2001 when voters approved a 1/2¢ sales tax for the construction and operation of the community center. The new City Sales tax rate would be 3%.
​
The total sales tax rate, including state and county, would be 8.6%, still considerably lower than surrounding cities in the KC Metro area.
HOW WILL WE KNOW THE FUNDS ARE BEING USED AS PROMISED?
Revenues from this sales tax would be placed in a dedicated public safety sales tax fund and expenditures included in the annual city budget. The budget is published on the city website, grandview. org, and copies are available at City Hall.
DO OTHER MISSOURI CITIES HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX?
Yes, including many in the Kansas City Metro including:
Blue Springs
Independence
Liberty
North Kansas City
​
Gladstone
Excelsior Springs
Raytown
Kansas City
This document shows how the
Public Safety Sales Tax will appear on the
April 3, 2018 ballot.
