Jerry Nolte Scott Fricker

Clay County Presiding Commissioner Platte County Presiding Commissioner

JNolte@claycountymo.gov 816.533.5808, Scott.Fricker@co.platte.mo.us
1 Courthouse Sq., Liberty, MO 64068 415 Third Street, Platte City, Missouri 64079

Joint Statement - Clay and Platte County Presiding Commissioners

KANSAS CITY AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

November 7TH Ballot Initiative

Released: October 17, 2023

Kansas City citizens will be asked to vote yes on QUESTION #1 (Public Bus Transit System) on November
7 to approve a continuation of the current 3/8 cent sales tax. The projected $421 million raised over 10
years will go to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) governed by a 10-member
Board of Commissioners who spends those funds on area transportation needs, including buses.

Missouri Statute (238.060) authorizes Clay and Platte Counties each to have one seat on the KCATA
Board of Commissioners. Clay and Platte County Commissions each submit a panel of three persons to
the Mayor of Kansas City, who shall appoint, with the approval of the city council, one person from
each county’s list. However, the Mayor of Kansas City has instead ignored recommendations from both
counties and has seated commissioners of his choosing. (One of the appointments made by the Kansas
City Mayor is a city employee, which raises concerns about the independence of the KCATA Board and
the undue influence of the Kansas City Mayor.)

As a result of the Mayor’s actions, the citizens of Clay and Platte Counties do not have proper
representation on the KCATA Board of Commissioners. And more importantly, by not following the
lawful procedure under state statute, Clay and Platte County citizens are being taxed without proper
representation as required by the law. Clay and Platte voters should ask, “Without proper
representation, will Northland taxpayers get their fair share of tax revenue and KCATA services?”

Before Northlanders vote to extend this tax, Kansas City should comply with the law and appoint
members to the KCATA Board of Commissioners as required by Missouri Statute. On November 7, Clay
and Platte Kansas Citians should consider whether or not to support this taxation without the
legitimate representation as guaranteed to us by law.

Jerry Nolte Scott Fricker

Clay County Presiding Commissioner Platte County Presiding Commissioner