Parks in Platte County

Funding for parks in Platte County was cut in half by the Platte County Commissioners

Wanting to enhance our quality of life in Platte County, voters have twice approved a county-wide 1/2 cent sales tax for parks. Revenue from the tax has helped create community centers, water parks, ball diamonds, heavily-used trails and many other wonderful amenities for residents to enjoy all across the county.  And enjoy them they have!  Platte County is recognized for having healthy residents! This 1/2 sales tax expires on December 31,2020.

Review the 2009 Park System Master Plan link below for more complete information.  Note the extensive public input incorporated into development of the plan, and that all the planned facilities have not yet been built, and that Platte County is growing even faster than expected. 

The current Platte County Commissioners did not perform a professional analysis of what park amenities will be needed due to the fast growing population and changing recreational trends. The Commissioners also did not seek public input through the use of citizen surveys, public forums to gather input, or form focus groups.  This type of public engagement has not been done since the 2009 Master Plan. Instead, at the last minute, the Commissioners appointed citizens to a Platte County Sales Tax Structure Advisory Committee "to make a tax structure recommendation". No additional public input was sought. 

This committee presented their final report to the commission on April 6, 2020. Based only on this report, the commissioners placed a question on the August 4, 2020 ballot that cut the parks sales tax from 1/2 cents to 1/4 cents per dollar.  At least this was better than cutting the parks sales tax to 1/8 cents per dollar, which the commissioners originally planned to do. Faced with losing all funding for parks at the end of the year, voters approved the reduced level.

I want more public involvement in decisions, especially those of this magnitude.  That is why I am running for County Commissioner in 2020.

PARK SYSTEM MASTER PLAN

From the Introduction:  


This Master Plan is citizen-focused; collaborative with public, private, and not-for-profit partners; and intended to be a plan that is sustainable by protecting natural resources through the preservation of open greenspace and improving water quality.


GUIDING PRINCIPLES

- Protecting our natural resources

- Providing health and wellness opportunities

- creating safe recreation places for our children


Click on the image to view the plan.