Residents Demand Answers on Kansas City’s Stalled PILOT Fee Removal

Residents of Kansas City Seek Clarity on PILOT Fee Issue

Kansas City, Kansas is buzzing with conversations around the recent controversy regarding the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the lingering Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) fee that has remained on customers’ bills despite a promised removal by October 1.

In a community meeting, local resident William Rogers expressed his frustration at the lack of communication surrounding the matter. “I was shocked to find out that the mayor hadn’t even heard about the complaints until someone brought it up in a meeting,” Rogers said. He went on to share that while he wasn’t one to complain himself, he was disturbed by the disconnect between the mayor and the county commissioners. “The mayor’s not working with the commissioners. He’s not keeping them up to date,” Rogers remarked.

Unraveling the Confusion

The situation took a turn when a recent report highlighted that the mayor, Tyrone Garner, was unaware of a warning email from the BPU indicating that the deadline for removing the fee was unrealistic. “I saw the mayor express surprise on social media, but I thought – come on, man! You got an email about this!” Rogers laughed.

In a phone interview, the mayor addressed the concerns saying he was committed to clearing up any confusion. “I rely on our administrator and our staff for the Unified Government to advise me on things,” Garner stated. He reassured residents that he was working diligently to get to the bottom of the issue.

A Direct Approach

Last week, Rogers took proactive steps to bring attention to the situation by personally visiting city hall to discuss his concerns with the mayor. He brought along documentation backing his statements, including his property tax and BPU PILOT fee data. “I wanted to show him that it’s okay to make mistakes. But right now, you’re creating division in this community,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of repairing relationships within the city.

It’s now been nearly a month since the promised deadline passed without the fee disappearing from residents’ bills. “When they announced it was just going to drop off, I thought, ‘Really? That’s not going to happen,'” Rogers confessed. He pointed out that both the mayor and the county administrator seemed to have rushed into this agreement without consulting wider public opinion.

Where’s the Open Dialogue?

Despite the heated discussions and public outcry, there has been little opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns face-to-face since the news broke. There was a special Unified Government meeting recently, but it lacked a public comment portion. Rogers pointed out, “It’s not us against them, but they’re starting to make it out like that, and that’s bad business for Wyandotte County.”

In response to ongoing questions from concerned residents, the mayor clarified several points about how the agenda for meetings is set and the communication between commissioners. Garner mentioned that it’s been challenging for him and the commissioners to have adequate time to review meeting documents before discussions.

Future Opportunities for Engagement

When asked about future opportunities for residents to express their concerns regarding the PILOT fee, the mayor promised that he is looking for ways to facilitate an open dialogue. “One of the things I can say — I’m proud of just being your mayor, is listening to the people. We need avenues for residents to bring up their concerns,” he said, revealing plans for initiatives like “Mayor Tyrone Tuesdays” and regular open mic sessions.

The next joint meeting of the Unified Government and the Board of Public Utilities is set for 5 p.m. on October 30, where it’s likely that residents will continue to press for answers and clarity on the lingering PILOT fee issue. For those living in Kansas City, maintaining a dialogue is critical as they navigate this uncertain terrain together.