ORDINANCE NO. 251029
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Calling for submission to the voters of Kansas City, at an election to be held on the general municipal election day of April 7, 2026, a question of whether to continue Kansas City's current one-percent earnings tax for five years; directing the City Clerk to provide notice of the election; and recognizing an accelerated effective date.
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WHEREAS, the earnings tax has been part of the City's financial structure since Kansas City voters passed a Charter amendment in 1963 authorizing the City to enact a tax of one-half percent; and
WHEREAS, in 1970, Kansas City voters approved a Charter amendment to increase the earnings tax to one percent; and
WHEREAS, Section 92.115 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri requires Kansas City voters to approve the continuation of the earnings tax at "the next general municipal election date immediately following November 2, 2010 and once every five years thereafter"; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City voters most recently approved renewal of the earnings tax in the general municipal election held on April 6, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the next general municipal election day is April 7, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Section 92.125 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri provides that if the City fails to place the issue on the April 2026 ballot, the earnings tax will be automatically phased out over ten years; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. ELECTION CALLED. That a general municipal election is called and shall be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for the purpose of submitting to the voters the question of whether to continue the imposition of the City's current one-percent earnings tax for a period of five (5) years beginning January 1, 2027.
Section 2. BALLOT TITLE. The ballot title shall be:
QUESTION NO.
(Continuation of the Earnings Tax)
Shall the earnings tax of 1%, imposed by the City of Kansas City, b...
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