Thursday, Jul. 29 2010 6:31PM
County legislators talk crime, taxes
Miranda Wycoff, Journal Staff
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ReprintOnly 50 percent of the candidates invited to Tuesday night’s forum for county legislature candidates hosted by the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce were in attendance.
Sixth District Republican candidates Bob Spence, incumbent, and his opponent Joe Spallo and Third District at Large candidate Fred Arbanas, incumbent, were the only candidates at the forum. Arbanas’ opponent, Terry Riley, and the Democratic candidates for the Sixth District seat, Greg Walters and Syed Asif, were invited but did not attend.
The candidates discussed their positions on crime and the county’s property tax assessments process as well as other topics.
“Unfortunately, crime rates grow when a population grows,” Spence said. “And the biggest thing we need to do at the county level is take care of the sheriff’s department.”
Spence said the sheriff’s department needs better equipment and its deputies need better pay.
“We have all the amenities we need to reduce crime,” Spence said referring to the parks systems and the school districts among other things, “But we’ve got to support our sheriff’s department.”
Spallo agreed the county needs to offer more support of its sheriff’s department and suggested to look at more funding through the Community-Backed Anti-Drug Tax.
“The county generates $12 million a year from COMBAT funds,” Spallo said. “But so many of the things that actually work (to prevent drug use) like D.A.R.E. and the sheriff’s department get funded minimally through that.”
Arbanas said the sheriff’s department shares its fund with the road and bridge fund.
“The funding is bad and it will remain bad unless a different source can come up instead of the department competing with roads and bridges,” Arbanas said.
Property tax assessment was another big topic for the candidates Tuesday.
“As any homeowner knows, property taxes in Jackson County are some of the highest in the state,” Spallo said.
He suggested creating a formula that annually looks at property values.
“We need to take a look at what’s happening in real time,” Spallo said.
But Spence said there is no way to look at property tax assessments “in real time.”
“It’s a constant problem in every county in every state,” Spence said. “There’s no way to take care of that in real time and I wish we could.”
Each candidate was also asked what they think is the No. 1 issue facing the county.
Arbanas cited the budget.
“With assessed values on homes going down generating less property taxes, which is our main source of income, we’ve had to cut $40 million out of the county’s budget the last four years,” Arbanas said. “The budget is going to be the toughest thing.”
Spallo said while he believes the budget is important, he doesn’t see the county’s spending as the most important issue.
“The main issue is infrastructure,” Spallo said. “Whether it’s District Six or county wide, the maintenance of our infrastructure is the most important.”
Spence agreed with Spallo, saying roads and bridge maintenance is the most important issue for him. Spallo also mentioned that if he were elected to the county legislature he would forfeit his seat on city council.
To reach Journal reporter Miranda Wycoff, call 16-282-7017 or e-mail mwycoff@lsjournal.com.
