Grain Valley aldermen approve ordinance to place project measure on ballot after debate over separating items

The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen approved the second reading of Bill B25-01, making it Ordinance 24-62, to call an election that will place the city's proposed project measure on the ballot.

Why it matters: The ordinance finalizes the ballot language and timing for a borrowing measure related to forthcoming city projects. Board members debated whether to split project elements into separate ballot questions so voters could approve parts independently, and city staff warned the certification deadline for the April election was imminent.

At the meeting, Grain Valley resident Dale Arnold said he wanted the projects separated so voters could consider each item on its own merit. "I just would've put it out there again, ask you to separate these 2 items so that they can be voted on on their own merit by the citizens of Grand Valley so they can vote on what they are willing to, spend their money on," Arnold said during public comment.

Board members discussed the feasibility and cost implications of separating projects. A city staff member told the board that the final certification deadline was imminent, saying, "Tomorrow at 5PM is the final certification date. It's too late for us to call even a special meeting of the board to reconsider that and make changes." The staff member added that delaying until August would be possible but likely more expensive because the city would not share election costs with other jurisdictions.

Several aldermen raised uncertainty tied to a separate Jackson County lawsuit over assessments and potential effects on levies and mill rates. A city staff speaker said the city is monitoring the matter and that when preparing financing estimates the city uses conservative assumptions about assessed valuation and growth.

The board approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote. Recorded votes included Alderman Knox (yes), Alderman Mills (yes), Alderman Skinner (yes), Alderman Sowell (no) and Alderman Bray (yes). The ordinance was entered as Ordinance 24-62.

Looking ahead: With the ordinance approved, the city will finalize ballot packaging for the upcoming election per the certification timeline the staff cited. Additional public discussion and requests to separate project items were noted but not acted on at this meeting.