undgrd
23rd August 2010, 09:34 AM
http://www.kmbc.com/r/24691172/detail.html
:boom
MISSION, Kan. -- Mission has adopted a new tax that will charge fees based on how much traffic specific properties generate.
The Mission City Council on Wednesday adopted a "driveway tax" as a way to raise revenue for road repairs in the Kansas City suburb.
Under the new program, every homeowner will be charged $72 a year and small businesses will pay $3,558 a year, beginning in December.
Larger businesses will pay more. For example, a Target store will pay up to $64,750 annually.
Mission officials previously said homeowners would be charged on average about $72.
City officials say the fee is expected to raise $1.2 million a year to help finance $38 million in road improvements during the next 10 years. It will also be used to fund a new express bus service between Overland Park and the Country Club Plaza.
City Administrator Mike Scanlon has said that the tax is fair and justified. He said the tax has been successfully imposed in other states.
KMBC's Brenda Washington reports the issue is proving controversial. Some say it's unfair and will drive away businesses. Others say road work is needed and in tough economic times it's better to have big businesses foot the bill.
To read previous coverage about the Mission driveway tax, click here (http://www.kmbc.com/news/23755069/detail.html).
:boom
MISSION, Kan. -- Mission has adopted a new tax that will charge fees based on how much traffic specific properties generate.
The Mission City Council on Wednesday adopted a "driveway tax" as a way to raise revenue for road repairs in the Kansas City suburb.
Under the new program, every homeowner will be charged $72 a year and small businesses will pay $3,558 a year, beginning in December.
Larger businesses will pay more. For example, a Target store will pay up to $64,750 annually.
Mission officials previously said homeowners would be charged on average about $72.
City officials say the fee is expected to raise $1.2 million a year to help finance $38 million in road improvements during the next 10 years. It will also be used to fund a new express bus service between Overland Park and the Country Club Plaza.
City Administrator Mike Scanlon has said that the tax is fair and justified. He said the tax has been successfully imposed in other states.
KMBC's Brenda Washington reports the issue is proving controversial. Some say it's unfair and will drive away businesses. Others say road work is needed and in tough economic times it's better to have big businesses foot the bill.
To read previous coverage about the Mission driveway tax, click here (http://www.kmbc.com/news/23755069/detail.html).