Wyandotte County’s proposal for a taxing district to help pay for a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium is much smaller than the state of Kansas proposed. The revelation came before a public hearing on Tuesday where commissioners were scheduled to hear from citizens about the proposed deal.Unified Government Administrator David Johnston told KMBC 9 Investigates the county will vote on contributing sales and use tax revenue from an area defined around the stadium, not the entire county, as a state Department of Commerce appeared to reveal in December.“That wasn’t what was discussed with us,” Johnston said.Johnston said the state’s map, as proposed, would exclude any future STAR Bond development in the county.“We need revenue,” he said. “We need to redevelop. But then what do we offer investors to come here? And if I can’t use a STAR Bond district as an incentive, then it’s going to be very difficult to bring investors into our county.”Johnston reiterated if the state handles the deal correctly, it can be a complement to the Legends and the American Royal, and provide significant economic benefit for the county.As for the state commerce department’s perspective, Kansas Department of Commerce spokesman Pat Lowry said the state has yet to determine the scope of the STAR Bond district. “We anticipate the Unified Government pledging the incremental sales tax revenue that will be generated from the area around the stadium and the mixed-use development,” Lowry said. The county’s proposed STAR Bond contribution would be contingent on making sure the STAR Bond district would not be modified without the Unified Government’s approval.Several residents have told KMBC 9 Investigates the process to fund the stadium is rushed.“As a taxpayer, as a resident here, this is where I live,” said Edwardsville resident John Altevogt. “I don’t want it here.”Altevogt said Tuesday’s meeting is too quick for such a large financial investment.“That’s the whole part about this that tells you that there’s nothing right about this,” he said.Johnston said the Wyandotte County’s decision about a STAR Bond taxing district is based on the state’s December announcement after negotiations with the Chiefs. That announcement started a 60-day clock to fund the bonds. “That was, that’s probably the biggest disappointment of this process,” Johnston said. “But we’re trying to get our arms around, ‘How beneficial is it to be the home of the Kansas City Chiefs?’ They don’t have to change their name.”

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —

Wyandotte County’s proposal for a taxing district to help pay for a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium is much smaller than the state of Kansas proposed.

The revelation came before a public hearing on Tuesday where commissioners were scheduled to hear from citizens about the proposed deal.

Unified Government Administrator David Johnston told KMBC 9 Investigates the county will vote on contributing sales and use tax revenue from an area defined around the stadium, not the entire county, as a state Department of Commerce appeared to reveal in December.

“That wasn’t what was discussed with us,” Johnston said.

Johnston said the state’s map, as proposed, would exclude any future STAR Bond development in the county.

“We need revenue,” he said. “We need to redevelop. But then what do we offer investors to come here? And if I can’t use a STAR Bond district as an incentive, then it’s going to be very difficult to bring investors into our county.”

Johnston reiterated if the state handles the deal correctly, it can be a complement to the Legends and the American Royal, and provide significant economic benefit for the county.

As for the state commerce department’s perspective, Kansas Department of Commerce spokesman Pat Lowry said the state has yet to determine the scope of the STAR Bond district.

“We anticipate the Unified Government pledging the incremental sales tax revenue that will be generated from the area around the stadium and the mixed-use development,” Lowry said.

The county’s proposed STAR Bond contribution would be contingent on making sure the STAR Bond district would not be modified without the Unified Government’s approval.

Several residents have told KMBC 9 Investigates the process to fund the stadium is rushed.

“As a taxpayer, as a resident here, this is where I live,” said Edwardsville resident John Altevogt. “I don’t want it here.”

Altevogt said Tuesday’s meeting is too quick for such a large financial investment.

“That’s the whole part about this that tells you that there’s nothing right about this,” he said.

Johnston said the Wyandotte County’s decision about a STAR Bond taxing district is based on the state’s December announcement after negotiations with the Chiefs. That announcement started a 60-day clock to fund the bonds.

“That was, that’s probably the biggest disappointment of this process,” Johnston said. “But we’re trying to get our arms around, ‘How beneficial is it to be the home of the Kansas City Chiefs?’ They don’t have to change their name.”