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Sales Tax Election

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1. Is this a new tax?

No; this is a renewal of an existing 3/4 of a cent sales tax which was approved by voters in 2002 and renewed in 2012 for another 10 years. Like all special sales taxes, it can only be approved for 10 years before needing to be renewed by voters. The tax will sunset (expire) again in July of 2022, so voters are being asked to renew the current sales tax to fund infrastructure projects for another 10 years.  

2. What type of projects does this tax support?

This is a special sales tax that can only be used for the purpose of maintaining or creating De Soto's infrastructure, which is anything from road, sewer, and water line replacements to sidewalk, bridge, street lighting, and traffic improvements.

Examples of previously funded projects:

• Yearly Road Maintenance Program 
• Annual Sidewalk Replacement Program
• Water Treatment Plant Expansion 
• 91st St. Extension to Sunflower Rd.
• New Sidewalks along Lexington & 83rd St
  
  

3. What type of projects will be funded by this sales tax in the future, if approved?

The proposed sales tax must be spent on large infrastructure capital projects, which are included in the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Upcoming Projects - Sales Tax Funded:

• 83rd and Kill Creek Bridge Replacement
• Lakeview Heights Subdivision water main replacement
• 82nd Street sewer force main replacement
• Miller Park Drainage Project
• Ottawa Street Reconstruction Project

4. What is the ballot language?

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall a retailers' sales tax in the amount of three quarters of one percent (.75%) be levied in the City of De Soto, Kansas (the "City"), for the purpose of financing capital improvement projects, including but not limited to, improving the City's streets and sidewalks, as well as the City's water, sewer, and drainage systems, and all things necessary and related to such improvements, with the collection of such sales tax to commence on October 1, 2022 (which will be after expiration of the previous three quarters of one percent (.75%) city-wide retailers' sales tax), and shall terminate ten years from the date of imposition, all pursuant to K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., and K.S.A. 12-195?

5. What does your vote mean?

'YES' Vote	'NO' Vote
Voting 'Yes' means your overall sales tax rate would stay the same at 9.75%, and the 3/4 of a cent special sales tax would continue until 2032. The City of De Soto would be allowed to use the approximately $600,000 generated each year to fund the City's infrastructure projects.	Voting 'No' means the sales tax would expire in July 2022; the City would have to consider alternative ways to fund the capital project improvements as the projects funded by the sales tax are integral to the City’s basic infrastructure and must be done, regardless of funding source.   City services are generally funded by either property taxes, sales taxes or user fees.

6. How long would this sales tax be in effect?

If approved, the Capital Projects sales tax would expire in 2032. This special purpose sales tax is an important part of the City’s long-term capital improvement program and plans. Sales taxes of this type (dedicated to a specific purpose) may be authorized for 10-year periods of time in accordance with State statutes. 

7. How much money is generated from this tax?

The sales tax generates approximately $600,000 annually.  

8. When does the current sales tax expire?

The current 3/4 of a cent sales tax, which was approved by voters in 2012, will expire in July of 2022.  

9. What is De Soto's current total sales tax rate?

The City of De Soto‘s current sales tax rate is 9.750%, allocated as follows:

State of Kansas - 6.500%	Johnson County - 1.475%	City of De Soto - 1.750% (General - 1.000% + Capital Projects - .75%)
TOTAL: 9.750%

10. How much more will this sales tax cost a De Soto resident?

Nothing; renewing this sales tax will not increase the sales tax rate in De Soto. Since voters approved the sales tax in 2002, De Soto shoppers have paid a 3/4 of a cent sales tax to fund capital improvements. Renewing this sales tax simply protects the revenue and funding source used for key infrastructure projects in our community.  

11. How much does this sales tax impact the average shopper?

For every $100 purchase, a shopper pays an extra $0.75 which goes solely towards investing in De Soto's infrastructure.  

Another way to look at this is its impact on an average purchase:

12. Why do we use sales tax to fund these types of projects?

By using sales tax, the costs are shared by residents and visitors alike who shop, eat, do business, and travel around De Soto! 

Using sales tax (versus a De Soto property tax or water rate increase) relieves the residents and businesses from paying 100% of the costs of maintaining or improving infrastructure.

13. Where can I get more information?

A town hall meeting has been scheduled for May 23rd at 6 p.m. at the De Soto City Hall. 

You may also call or email City Clerk Brandon Mills at 913.586-5250 or Bmills@desotoks.us for more information on the sales tax renewal.

14. How do I vote?

First, you must be registered to vote! See the Election & Voting Page for more information on voter registration and detailed election/voting information.

Beginning June 1st, registered voters will receive a white & red envelope in the mail from the Johnson County Election Office. After filling out your ballot, sign your name, include your address on the white & blue return envelope, and put it in your mailbox!  

15. When is the deadline to register to vote?

The deadline to register to vote in this election is Tuesday, May 31st, 2022.

However, voters who register after Monday, May 23rd, 2022 need to request a ballot by calling the JOCO Election Office; they will not be mailed one automatically.

16. When are ballots due?

Ballots are due 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, June 21st, 2022.

17. Why are we voting on this now?

1. The sales tax is expiring in July of 2022
2. The revenue stream from this sales tax makes up a large portion of the City's Capital Project budget. Since the 2023 budget process begins in Spring of 2022, knowing the outcome of the election is crucial to assisting City staff with developing a budget based on accurate revenue projections.