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Belton council approves $69,500 feasibility study for proposed stadium after heated debate
Summary
The Belton City Council voted 5–3 to hire CJ Johnson Consulting Inc. for a $69,500 feasibility and economic-impact study on a proposed multiuse minor‑league baseball stadium after months of council travel and mixed public reaction; supporters said the cost is modest to test the idea, while critics warned of fiscal risk and limited public vetting.
Belton City Council voted to hire CJ Johnson Consulting Inc. for a $69,500 market feasibility and economic-impact study into a proposed minor‑league baseball stadium and ancillary development, a measure supporters described as a low-cost way to test whether the project could deliver jobs and tax revenue.
The contract (approved by roll call, 5–3) was introduced by staff as a study to determine whether Belton and the surrounding economic region could support a multiuse venue that could host baseball and “200 to 250 dates a year,” potentially generating sales and property-tax revenue over decades. Staff said some models show “tens of millions” in tax benefits over 20–30 years but emphasized those numbers depend on scale, financing and private investment.
Opponents raised questions about process, scope and risk. Several council members said the idea had progressed far on the basis of limited internal vetting and a small number of elected officials and staff attending exploratory trips. Council Member Lawson and others urged stronger internal analysis and more public outreach before committing public dollars for a study. Council Member Richardson and others warned that public finance for a stadium could reach tens of millions and that the Kansas City market already has competing sports options.
Supporters said the study was the next prudent step: it would identify whether the market exists, potential funding structures (public, private or public‑private partnership), and realistic costs for a facility sized to local demand. Proponents noted examples of smaller cities that operate profitable venues but also acknowledged those cases vary widely.
With the vote, staff will proceed with the consultant contract; the study’s findings will return to council for deliberation and any later policy decisions. The study does not commit the city to build a stadium, and any construction or financing decisions would require separate council approvals and likely public review.
