City Budget Priorities

“While serving on staff for 7 years in the United States Senate and House of Representatives I got first-hand experience in budget processes. While the Congressional budget process is more complex than the City’s, there are similarities in the fact the process is mandated by law, there are opportunities for input from experts and interested parties, and the responsibility is ultimately that of elected officials.” Jan Marcason

When asked by the Citizens Association to outline the top three budget priorities for the City, Jan listed:1. Securing public safety is the primary function of City government. Jan believes that this must be (and currently is) the top priority for the City budget. The police and fire departments comprise nearly 30% of the City’s general fund budget.

2. Maintenance of existing capital projects and set-aside for future capital improvements needs.

3. Basic neighborhood services such as streets, sidewalks, trash pick-up, codes enforcement, etc.

Economic Growth

“We need to monitor the return on our investments downtown and expand the revitalization out to the neighborhoods.” Jan Marcason

Jan believes that Kansas City should encourage economic growth without “giving away the farm.” On the City Council, she plans to work to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy to expand our tax base. This includes reasonable incentives for major businesses that spur economic growth.
She would also work to streamline the process for the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

We have made a significant investment in the much-needed revitalization of our downtown.

Neighborhoods

“The Fourth District is blessed with outstanding neighborhoods but if we’re not careful they could slip away from us.” Jan Marcason

Jan will work to protect our neighborhoods and revitalize those that slip into decline.

Jan would like to see Wornall Road in Waldo (a stretch that has become unsightly but where active neighborhood associations want to work for improvement) establish a Community Improvement District similar to the one on Main Street.

Debt Policy

"Today Kansas City enjoys the highest bond rating available to a municipality. In the development of a debt policy, the objective is to maintain our high credit rating while formalizing the criteria for incurring additional debt when necessary. " Jan Marcason

Jan believes that we need a debt policy that provides adequate safeguards for long-term financial security while still enabling the city to take advantage of opportunities for economic growth.

Reserves

“It is critical that the economic performance of the investments we have made in downtown and other economic development projects be monitored so that increased benefits from this investment be put into the reserve. The City cannot respond to emergency situations or opportunities without an adequate reserve.” Jan Marcason

Jan supports the goal to achieve an 8% reserve balance. The City has made some progress in the right direction over the past few years, however the current reserve balance is at just 5%. It will require discipline and; to reach the 8% goal. It will also require commitment to include the reserve as a part of the normal budget process. Given the dedicated revenue streams and the financial obligations, there is little room for increasing the reserve.

Basic Services

“According to the City Auditor’s report, the City is doing a good job in the public safety area and in the maintenance of most of its parks. The areas of basic maintenance, code enforcement, and city communications have a higher level of dissatisfaction than residents of other comparable cities.” Jan Marcason

Basic services include public safety (police, fire and ambulance service), infrastructure maintenance (streets, sidewalks, sewer system), and livability services (parks, codes enforcement, city customer services).

Satisfaction levels for basic services vary according to the geographic area of the residents. Jan believes that addressing consistently unsatisfactory services will give residents the assurance that the City is responding to their needs – whatever region they live in.

Jan’s priorities in basic services include maintenance of city streets, sidewalks buildings, and facilities. They also include effective communication between the city and the public, and aesthetics such as removing abandoned cars, litter, and lighting.

Flood and Wastewater Control

“Our proud neighborhoods in the Fourth District are atop an outdated sewer system that must be replaced. I look at this as an opportunity to establish a master plan of improvements that includes the replacement of other infrastructure, curbs, streets and sidewalks that will occur simultaneously.” Jan Marcason

Kansas City is under a federal requirement to address the combined sewers in the 52-square mile area of the original Kansas City sewer system (primarily in the Fourth District). This is one of the biggest issues that will face the next City Council and Mayor and includes a price tag of $1.5-$3 billion.

Studies and plans for this project have been underway for nearly 10 years. A holistic approach that minimizes the impact of sewer replacement for existing and new development projects, neighborhood services, and planning efforts is required.

Engineers know the extent of the problem and the areas that are affected by the combined sewers and drainage problems.
Jan has attended many of the Wet Weather meetings and has been impressed by the interest and creative suggestions of area residents. Approaches include a combination of approaches, including sewer line replacement, ponding of storm water and rain gardens where appropriate, emerging technology and processes for water quality management.

We have an obligation to remedy the situation and are under federal mandate to do so. As a City Council member Jan looks forward to receiving the final report of the Wet Weather panel and to take action to develop appropriate responses to address this complex situation.

City Responsiveness

“I want the residents of the city to know that elected officials and the city staff are working on their behalf . The Council must make responsiveness to citizens a major priority and the Council must evaluate our performance in this arena.” Jan Marcason

The establishment of the 3-1-1 telephone service for City information is a good step toward making the residents feel that the city is being responsive to their needs. As a city council member, Jan promises to work to assure that the City Manger is held accountable for monitoring this resource for quality assurance and successful referrals to make sure that the citizen’s experiences are favorable.

The City’s responsiveness to providing licenses and codes inspections has been mentioned in many of the neighborhood meetings I have attended. Residents still feel that the process for licensing and codes inspections is too cumbersome and actually a detriment to economic growth. Small businesses are the backbone of economic vitality. We need to make the licensing and codes processes responsive to their needs – while maintaining the public safety standards that are governed by codes and licensing requirements.

“PIAC proposals should fit into a long-term plan for capital improvements, that the process should be as transparent as possible to promote citizen involvement, and that the final decisions must be the responsibility of the Council members.” Jan Marcason

Jan is very supportive of the Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC ) program which includes citizen involvement in decision making and financial priority setting by the City. PIAC representatives appointed by Council members dedicate a significant time commitment to this process. The extension of the 1-cent sales tax for capital improvements is essential and the PIAC process is the key to voter approval.

Public Transit

"Public transportation and light rail are two parts of the same issue. A coordinated public transportation plan with Smart Moves, the current bus system and the proposed light rail will need adequate funding that includes support from the Federal Government. We cannot diminish the current bus service that so many of our residents rely on to get to their jobs." Jan Marcason

While our public mass transit system is underutilized, Jan believes that the MAX bus system and the Smart Moves Regional Transit Plan are positive steps toward increasing ridership. If elected, Jan will work with other City Council members to encourage the Kansas legislature to favorably consider the Smart Moves Plan which is important to establishing a effective metropolitan system that reaches all employment centers.

Jan will also encourage the City Council to take advantage of coming downtown revitalization to promote public transportation throughout the entertainment district and surrounding areas.

“Although federal and state funding remains a huge question in terms of the viability of the recently passed light rail proposal, I believe the City should look at it as an opportunity to develop future transit options.” Jan Marcason

Voter approval of the recent light rail proposal is evidence that a majority of people in Kansas City want to see this type of mass transit developed.

Unfortunately, the light rail plan to capture the temporary 3/8 cent sales tax for light rail conflicts with funding needed by the Smart Moves program developed by the ATA and MARC for a regional transit system. As a City Council member, Jan will remain committed to sorting this out in an effective manner in the coming years.

Tax Increment Financing

“There are benefits to using TIF if a project is strategically important to a long-range development plan, if it creates significant jobs and brings in new revenue to the area and does not displace revenue from another location. The TIF that provided an extra lane of parkway for Shoal Creek helped create the opportunity for significant revenue in a high-end retail area in Kansas City near Liberty.” Jan Marcason

Use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and other economic incentives during the past few years has been effective in spurring growth in the Northland and downtown. There are currently 54 TIF projects in Kansas City. Most are performing as expected and will provide an economic payoff for the city’s investment.

Jan believes that, before any new TIF projects are approved, a review of existing “but for” requirements should be conducted. If the project meets the stringent criteria, it should go forward. Because of the liberal use of TIFs many developers have become reliant on economic incentives for a project that could be privately financed.