Local Program Positions 2007 - 2008

Education
Support of adequate local tax levies to provide optimum education systems for the school districts within the Kansas City limits. The following criteria should be used to evaluate the adequacy of proposed tax levels:

1. Retention or improvement of the districts state classification.
2. Competitive teacher's salaries among the twelve Kansas City, MO districts.

Human Resources
Support of equality of opportunity in public accommodations and housing. The Kansas City fair housing ordinance should include these provisions:

1. Coverage of all dwellings except rental units in one-family or two-family owner occupied structures.
2. Actions of real estate brokers, lending institutions and builders should be covered.
3. An anti-blockbusting clause should be included.
4. The Human Relations Commission should enforce the ordinance with recourse to the courts.
5. Complaint investigation procedures should be in the following order:
   a. voluntary compliance
   b. efforts at mediation
   c. subpoena of witnesses at all stages
   d. public hearings
   e. court action
6. The enforcing agency should be allowed to initiate complaints
7. The principle of ascending fines for second violations should be part of the housing ordinance.
8. A program of public education should be instituted by the Human Relations Commission, with a sufficient budget.

City Government
Support of Council- Manager form of government. The following points were emphasized:

1. The six district and the six at-large council members create a representative government that can be responsive to the will of the majority.
2. More emphasis should be placed on the policy-making capabilities of the council.
3. Consideration should be given to transfer of some of the detail of the charter to the administrative code.
4. Consideration should be given to methods for strengthening the policy making leadership role of the mayor.

Support of the following City Charter Changes:

1. A considerable increase in the number of signatures required to declare intent to cause referendum petitions to be circulated.
2. Raising the number of signatures required to bring an issue to referendum to about 10% of the registered voters.
3. Charter revision should be done by an appointed non-partisan committee rather than a 13-member elected commission.
4. Charter review body should make proposals to city council every 10 years to be taken as amendment to propositions to the voters.

Support of Planning and Zoning:

1. Applicants for rezoning, opponents, and citizen groups should have equal opportunities to present their information and opinions.
2. Persons appointed to the City Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment should have a balance of interest among them.
3. Notification of rezoning hearing should be published in a paper of general circulation other than the Daily Record. Written notifications of hearings and re-hearings to all owners or record and residents of adjoining property should be a requirement …not a courtesy. The notification procedure might include prominently posting a sign at the property, easily recognizable from a distance, at least two weeks before the first hearing.
4. In the planning process, a set of goals should take priority over a map showing proposed uses, although it is understood both are important.

Housing:

1. Support of a written housing policy to preserve a healthy environment and conserve decent and safe housing stock.
   
2. Support the conservation of the city core and older housing stock.
   
3. Support the Mayor and City Council formulating this policy.
   
4. Support and adequately funded Housing Department.
   
5. Support property maintenance and code enforcement.
   
6. Support private investment in housing.

Finance:
Support for adequate financing of city services. Support of budgeting procedures that facilitate citizen comprehension and City Council participation. Support for reliance upon progressive taxes. The following points were emphasized:

1. Expenditures: Among the categories used in the Budget by objectives, the League gives highest priority for support of two, "Public Safety and Protection" and "Maintenance and Utility".
   
2. Procedures: The League would like to see the format of the Proposed Budget and the Financial Report coordinated to facilitate citizen comparison and comprehension as will as meeting accounting and city finance principles. The League would also like to have significant changes in the budget from the preceding year noted and fully described in the proposed budget.
   
3. Revenue: The League supports a reduction of the utility tax. When taxes are justified to the public based on an emergency and earmarked for a specific use, the League supports a sunset clause tied to their adoption. The League supports bond issues for needed capital improvements.

Clay County:
Study of the home rule charter government for Clay County. Support of criteria for a new jail facility in Clay County.

1. The plans for the jail must take into consideration the current as well as the long range used and needs of the entire County.
   
2. All federal minimum standards should be met.
   
3. Adequate parking facilities should be included in the total jail plan.
   
4. The future expansion of all county governmental facilities should be an integral part of the overall planning for a new jail.

Jackson County Finance
Support of increased accountability for administration of Jackson County finances. Support of a continuing re-evaluation of property tax assessment.
Support of a sound county tax system.

Jackson County Government
Support of the charter form of government in Jackson County.
Support of the authorization for home rule charter counties to provide services approved by the voters on a countywide basis.
Support of authority of Jackson County to enter into inter-governmental contracts. Support of a merit system applying to all county employees below the level of department head.
Support of improved administration of institutions and services for juvenile wards of Jackson County, with chief emphasis on treatment.
Support of methods for providing alternatives to incarceration with active encouragement of increased usage of these alternatives.
Support of improved conditions for women offenders, with both architectural and policy impacts being considered.