A county official vetoes a stadium tax for an April ballot, affecting Kansas City Chiefs and Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Executive Frank White on Thursday vetoed an ordinance that would have placed a 3/8-cent sales tax extension on the April ballot to fund sports stadiums for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.

“This proposed sales tax would raise more than $2 billion from our residents, but there is no clear understanding or certainty about the teams’ obligations and contributions to the county,” White said in a news release, the Kansas City Star reported. “It is not a good deal for taxpayers and I cannot support any deal that is not in their interests.”

Shortly after the veto was announced, four provincial lawmakers said they were siding with White. To override White’s veto, the County Legislature — which consists of nine members — would need six votes. They are approaching a Jan. 23 deadline to put the stadium tax decision before voters this spring.

The Royals and Chiefs released a joint statement following White’s veto, saying: “We respect the County Executive’s veto. We will continue to work with legislators to ensure that this ordinance comes to a vote on April 2 so that Jackson County voters have the opportunity to decide on the extension of the current 3/8 cent sales tax.”

The Royals are trying to use the sales tax to fund construction of a new downtown stadium, though they have not yet announced their location. The Chiefs have consistently stated their intention to renovate Arrowhead Stadium.

The current leases for the Truman Sports Complex stadium expire in 2031. While some lawmakers pointed out Thursday that April is not the only vote in 2024 or in the years before that expiration date, both teams have expressed support for the measure aimed at April. They are said to have support from the current governor’s office, which has increased their urgency.

On Jan. 8, county lawmakers voted 8-1 to approve ballot language for the new 3/8 cent sales tax, replacing the current tax that expires in September 2031. White was not in favor of this at the time and wanted more. time to get additional concessions from the teams for the province in the deal.