Jackson County Legislators Override Frank White’s Veto on Stadium Sales Tax

Posted January 18, 2024

Updated January 23, 2024

Jackson County legislators voted 7-2 Monday to override County Executive Frank White’s veto of a stadium tax ballot question.

The decision to override the veto means the 3/8th-cent stadium sales tax will appear on the April ballot. Funds generated from the sales tax would go towards stadium projects for the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

The Royals are seeking a new ballpark stadium and the Chiefs wish to renovate Arrowhead Stadium. Both teams and the Jackson County Sports Authority have now signed the terms sheet.

Additionally, an “unsolved issues” sheet was present during the meeting which outlines pivotal issues that still need to be resolved between the teams and the county. One item on the sheet refers to the Royals’ decision on where to build their next stadium.

The Royals will need to decide on where to construct their new ballpark no later than Feb. 29.

In conjunction with White’s announcement to veto the ordinance, four legislators; Jeanie Laurer, Megan Marshall, Sean Smith and Jalen Anderson, said they supported his decision and would vote to sustain it. However, Monday’s meeting saw two legislators, Smith and Anderson, have a change of heart and voted to go against the initial veto.

“I have decided to override the County Executive’s veto,” Anderson said in a statement Monday. “Ordinance 5822 passed Monday, January 8th, and was vetoed by County Executive Frank White on Thursday, January 18th. Over the last several days, in-depth discussions have been with the Jackson County Sports Authority and the leadership of the Chiefs and the Royals.”

“The County Executive deserves significant credit for achieving some great concessions from the teams,” Smith said in his statement Monday. “These concessions will save our taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars over the life of the agreements. I also want to thank my colleagues on the Legislature who stood firm and demanded that the teams document and sign key terms.”

Frank White Vetoes Ordinance

White vetoed the ordinance for a proposed sales tax on Jan. 18, that would retain the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.

The ordinance would place a 3/8th-cent sales tax question for voters on the April ballot.

“This proposed sales tax would generate over $2 billion from our residents, yet there is no clear understanding or assurance regarding the teams’ commitments and contributions to the county,” White said in a statement. “It’s not a good deal for taxpayers and I cannot support an agreement that is not in their best interest.”

At the Jan. 8 Jackson County Legislature meeting, legislators voted 8-1 on the ordinance. Prior to the meeting, White expressed concerns with the ordinance and requested more time before the ordinance was approved to meet with the teams.

White noted the rapid change in fellow legislators’ decisions as a result of the complexity of the stadium sales tax ordinance.

“The escalating political pressure on our county legislators is a matter of concern and highlights the need for clear, informed decision-making,” he said Monday.