On the Ballot: Jackson County Question #1

     On November 8th, Jackson County voters will be asked to extend a 1/8 sales tax to support the Children's Service Fund. Voters approved the sales tax to establish the fund in November 2016. Since its inception, the fund has awarded nearly $85 million to nonprofits and schools in support of childhood mental health and well-being and safety initiatives for Jackson County youth and families. In 2022, the fund supported 102 projects with $19.9 million in funding. 

The ballot language states:
Shall Jackson County, solely for the purpose of continuing its Community Children's Services Fund to provide services to protect the well-being and safety of children and youth nineteen years of age or less and to strengthen families, be authorized to extend its countywide sales tax, at the rate of one-fourth of one cent? This Fund will continue to be transparently administered in a manner independent of Jackson County government, by a diverse, geographically representative, nine-member citizen board appointed by the County Executive, with at least one member residing in each County legislative district. Revenues will be solely used to benefit the residents of Jackson County.

     For more information on the Jackson County Community Children's Services Fund, visit Children's Services Fund of Jackson County | Home (jacksoncountykids.org). 

     The deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 12th. For more information and instructions on how to register, visit Registration | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org). 

The Childrens Service Fund focuses on 10 strategic initiatives:

Image credit: Childrens Service Fund