Tax Levy Discussion And Fair Wrap Up Highlights Of Board Of Aldermen Meeting

     The City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen approved the first reading of ordinances during the September 9th meeting addressing the city’s tax levy for 2019 and making debt payments for general obligation bonds. Both were passed by 6-0 unanimous votes.
     A public hearing preceded the votes. No residents were present to speak for or against the levy proposal.
     City Finance Director Steven Craig outlined the proposed levy prior to the vote.
     “This evening we are considering the 2019 proposed property tax levy.  If you remember, in 2018 the board chose to lower the levy ten cents and that trend continues with an additional three cent decrease this year,” Craig said.
     “The total levy will be 1.5994. With this debt levy, we’re taking the necessary steps to set in providing funding for the no tax increase bond levy question to be considered in April 2020.”
     The city partnered with Baker Tilly Tax Advisory group throughout the process of determining the 2019 tax levy rate. Baker Tilly provided calculations for levy rates at the request of the board and presented them publicly along with answering questions at recent Board of Aldermen meetings.
     The purpose of passing the tax levy for the city is to meet the required timelines for establishing the tax rate within Jackson County, Missouri. The tax generated provides revenue city operations and debt service payments.
     The board also authorized the escrow of funds sufficient to pay a portion of the Series 2011 General Obligation Bonds for the City of Grain Valley. City Administrator Ryan Hunt advised the mayor and the board that one of the key issues of the City’s 2019 tax levy was it allowed for paying off debt early.
     Craig reminded the board that $1.2 million taken from the debt service reserve fund would be used to make payment for general obligation bonds maturing between March 1, 2029 to March 1, 2031.
     The Board also discussed the recently completed Grain Valley Fair held on September 6th and 7th. Mayor Mike Todd praised the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) for their work at the fair. VIPS volunteers took over organization of the parade this year and provided crowd support throughout the weekend. Todd expressed his appreciation for their organization and handling of the parade along with the crowd support they provided in coordination with the Grain Valley Police Department.
     Chief of Police James Beale also acknowledged the work done by VIPS and the police department in ensuring all went smoothly with over 50 parade entries this year.
     The Burger Barn, operated as a fundraiser by Crossroads Church, and the Grain Valley Fair 5K Run were two other highlights of the fair that drew praise. The Burger Barn was so popular that it ran out of food by 5:00pm on Saturday. Also noted was the number of people that the 5K Run attracted from outside of Grain Valley. Todd estimated only ten to fifteen percent of the people participating in the 5K were from Grain Valley and that visitors were impressed by the fair and the city in general.
     The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, September 23rd at City Hall.