Part of any campaign is trying to respond to questions voters and the community have.

I have looked at the questions, categorized them and provide responses which I hope are helpful. I have included the question and my response.

If you have other questions, please email me

Data Centers & Technology Development

• Where do you stand on the data center?

• I hope you are still not in favor of the data center… (environmental, health, jobs, proximity to Lake City, foreign ownership concerns).

• How do you feel about the data center and city buses?

My response: I have voted in favor of the data center. There are local, state and federal laws that regulate the environmental issues raised in the extensive community conversations about the data center. The Chapter 100 contract requires compliance with these and can be revoked if they are not met.

Taxes, Budget & Government Spending

• What are your thoughts on lowering our taxes? How about government being efficient with our money?

• What are your thoughts on how we can address the budget shortfall without raising taxes or cutting services?

• What about property tax and road conditions?

• New City Hall tax dollars going to Blue Springs School District vs. Independence School District.

My response

The data center, if fully completed, will provide the city substantial new revenue (up to $35 million annually). With that new revenue, the city will not have to piece together funding for basic city services with a sales tax here and a sales tax there. The city government, like all businesses, is constantly looking for ways to be more efficient. 

The recently approved $55 million General Obligation bond for streets is a start in addressing road conditions. We need to do better. Additional revenue to the city from the data center should provide us another source of funds without raising taxes. We have done a good job securing federal and state matching funds for road and bridge projects.

The amount of property tax that goes to any particular school district is dependent on the school district boundaries.  Recent economic projects across the city have been helpful to different school districts. A city does not pay property taxes so none of the costs of the city hall building go to the Blue Springs school district. 

Economic Development & Revitalization

• Tell us your plans to bring business to Independence.

• Cleaning up the city.

• What about the older buildings that have been empty for more than 10 years?

• Why purchase newer buildings instead of renovating older ones?

My response

The data center is a major new business to Independence. It is the largest private investment in the city’s history. It will also be the largest tax payer in the city. That investment will help attract other tech-related businesses and new start ups. It should provide the city new resources to help with filling in empty business sites. The local business incubator The Ennovation Center does a good job helping growing and developing small businesses. They would like to expand here in Independence.

We need to do better. In November of 2020, the Independence City Council passed the "Vacant Structure Registration and Maintenance" program to identify, register and monitor vacant structures. We have been more aggressive in demolition of dangerous buildings. We are working to attract more businesses to land here. Having financial flexibility in the budget gives us tools to work with those businesses.