Wyandotte County Voters Turn Down Two Sales Tax Measures

Residents of Wyandotte County chose not to fund new infrastructure or social services through local sales taxes. In the general election held on Tuesday, voters denied two specific measures that would have raised revenue for homelessness support and public park maintenance.

The rejected proposal for community health and homeless services was set to generate $12 million annually. A separate measure for parks and infrastructure would have brought in $16 million per year. According to uncertified results released Tuesday evening, 21,849 people voted against the homeless services tax while 19,501 voted in favor. The parks and infrastructure measure also failed, with 20,223 votes cast against it and 16,972 in favor.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, proposed the health-related tax to address a shortage of medical providers. The county reports a ratio of approximately 56 physicians for every 100,000 residents. Officials planned to use the new funds to expand mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and temporary housing. Currently, the community lacks a year-round shelter that provides wraparound support for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

The second failed measure targeted physical assets within Kansas City, Kansas only. The $16 million in annual revenue was earmarked for improvements to roads, bridges, and sidewalks. It also included funding for park amenities such as the Parkwood Pool, the clubhouse at the Sunflower Hills Golf Course, and seven community centers.

The sales tax votes were part of a larger ballot that included state and federal races. Voters also selected candidates for Kansas governor, the state Legislature, and the U.S. Senate. The Unified Government now faces the task of identifying alternative resources for the planned improvements in health services and infrastructure.