In November 2022, Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved $125 million dollars in general obligation (GO) bonds to make much needed maintenance and upgrades.

$80 million of the funding will go to improvements at park facilities for community centers, public pools, repairing historic fountains, and upgrades to parks across the city.

$45 million will be used for maintenance and improvements to the Kansas City Convention Center.

Read the 2024-2028 Go Bond Plan

 

In April 2017, voters approved $800 million dollars in general obligation bonds  to fund a capital improvements program for streets, sidewalks, flood control and other infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

Even though you’re not likely to give infrastructure much more than a passing thought, you can easily spot the signs all around you. It’s the sidewalk that you walk on or the bridges that you cross. It’s the park where your children play or even the building that shelters animals in distress.

Go Bonds are used toward improvements on streets, bridges, sidewalks, flood control, parks, and public buildings.

These projects form the foundation for a Capital Improvement Program and Kansas City is building one of the very best in the country.

Capital improvement projects may include new construction or renovation of city buildings, reconstruction of streets, repairing or constructing sidewalks as well as making public areas ADA compliant. These long-deferred projects will be easy to recognize because they will carry the GO KC brand.

This website is your primary resource for the information you need to track how your tax dollars are being invested and to stay current on the progress being made to improve Kansas City.

IMG_8565 (2)

KC GO Bond Accomplishments

Sidewalk Backlog: The longstanding back log of sidewalk projects throughout the city is set to be completed in 2023, years ahead of schedule. Citizen sidewalk repair requests were backed up from 2008-2016. Kansas City's Public Works Department strategized and pushed forward to clear projects. The backlog is currently in its final phase. Click here for a map to see where sidewalks were repaired and future projects.

More on sidewalks:

 

KC Starlight

 

ADA Upgrades at Starlight: During the Coronavirus Pandemic much needed ADA upgrades were completed to the Starlight theater. Upgrades include numerous walkways leveled throughout the venue, an increase in the number of ADA and ADA companion seats in Starlight’s Producers Circle and Box sections, elevation of the outer Terrace sections to improve sight lines over the Plaza ADA seating and elevated ADA seating at the Terrace level. New, accessible informational, directional and weather shelter signage installed throughout the venue. 

More on Starlight ADA improvements: 

KC Pet Project GO Bond

 

KC Pet Project Swope Park Facility: The Kansas City Pet Project's campus in Swope Park opened on January 1, 2020 thanks to $18 million dollars of GO Bond funding. The facility serves as a shelter for dogs and cats in Kansas City and serves as animal control.

More on KC Pet Project's facilities:

Kansas City Museum

 

Revival of the Kansas City Museum: For nearly a decade the Kansas City Museum sat vacant and slowly deteriorating. The project was funded through private backing along with $8 million of GO Bond dollars.

More on the Kansas City Museum:

Media Reports About GO KC Projects

History

The City Council passed an ordinance placing an $800 million infrastructure repair plan on the April 4, 2017 ballot, seeking resident approval for a comprehensive capital improvements program. The program would use revenue created by issuing approximately $40 million in General Obligation (GO) bonds each year for 20 years.

Answers to frequently asked questions was presented to voters before the election.

Capital Improvements Program

Estimated Taxpayer Impact

RESIDENTIAL AVERAGE ANNUAL YEAR 20
$100,000 House / $15,000 Car $6 $120
$140,000 House / $15,000 Car $8 $160
$200,000 House / $35,000 Car $12 $250

Commercial

$1,000,000 Building/
$100,000 Personal Property

 $88 $1,767

These are averages. Some years will be higher, some will be lower.

How did we calculate the taxpayer impact examples?
This information shows the assumptions and the impact on a total tax bill:

  • Average property owner:
    • $140,000 home (market value)
    • $15,000 auto (market value)
  • Current total tax bill* (all taxing jurisdictions) – $2,680 (Year 1)
  • Future total tax bill (all taxing jurisdictions) – $2,840 (Year 20)
  • Average annual increase for 20-year program:
    • $8 per year; or
    • 0.3% per year
  • Program assumptions:
    • City’s total assessed valuation increases 1.5% per year.
    • Existing debt levy rate is held constant through fiscal 2028.
    • Bonds are issued $40 million a year.
    • Interest rates on bonds sold average 5%.

*Assumes hypothetical total combined property tax levy of $8.00 per $100 of assessed valuation. Actual total levy will vary by location, school district, etc. Projected tax impact is not affected by actual total levy.

A companion resolution has been approved by the City Council. It outlines specifics of the process for prioritizing projects through the existing Citywide Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan, as well as the annual reporting requirements for the program. View the list and map of possible street and bridge projects (list/big map | list/printable map) submitted with the resolution.

Projects are prioritized based on several factors, including those that: are shovel-ready, already in the current Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan, leverage grants or private resources, promote new development, improve public safety and/or address state or federal mandates.

These maps show proposed projects in the City: North | South

To review the public debate on this issue prior to passage, please see these presentations and meetings:

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Download Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Download Windows Media Player Word Viewer Download Word Viewer Excel Viewer Download Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer Download PowerPoint Viewer