The Chiefs and Royals have taken a significant step forward in resolving stadium issues in Jackson County. In a letter of intent with the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority (JCSCA), the teams claim to have reached agreement on almost all of the principal terms for their respective proposals. However, their progress hinges on the decision of the Jackson County Legislature, which has the power to determine whether the 3/8th-cent sales tax renewal will appear on the April ballot, allowing voters to voice their opinions.
The teams sent a letter to the county legislature highlighting their belief that the unresolved issues raised by the legislators are, in fact, resolved or nearing resolution. They reference the letter of intent agreement with the JCSCA and express disappointment at County Executive Frank White’s veto of the ordinance that would have allowed voters to decide the long-term presence of the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.
The Chiefs and Royals negotiated the letter of intent with the JCSCA after White’s veto, signaling their determination to move forward. However, with support now required from the county legislature to override the veto and keep the item on the April ballot, the teams are fully focused on this crucial audience. Their four-page cover letter seeks to clarify what they consider to be inaccurate information surrounding their stadium proposals.
The county legislature initially approved the item’s place on the ballot but must now decide whether to override the veto. In order to keep the item on the ballot, the teams need the support of at least six out of the nine members. However, four legislators have already expressed their support for White’s veto.
The teams’ letter of intent is a direct response to the statement made by three county legislators outlining 10 unresolved issues they have with the proposals. The Chiefs and Royals reject the assertion that these issues remain unresolved and emphasize that they have either reached agreements on all of them or proposed clarifications on a few.
In their response, the teams address each of the 10 issues and reaffirm their commitment to Jackson County. They pledge to announce a site for the Royals by the end of February and state that the county will not need to fund the demolition cost of Kauffman Stadium once it is no longer in use. They express confidence in developing acceptable funding arrangements and emphasize the significant public contributions made through the new sales tax.
The county’s final decision regarding the ballot will be made on Monday when the legislature votes on whether to override the veto. The Chiefs and Royals hope that their clear responses and previous public statements will help to sway the legislature in their favor. They believe they have found common ground with the sports complex authority and are now striving to do the same with the broader authority and decision-makers within the county legislature.
As the teams await the legislature’s decision, their letter of intent stands as evidence of their commitment to resolving the stadium issues. Their continued engagement with the JCSCA and their efforts to address the concerns raised by the county legislature demonstrate their dedication to the long-term presence of the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County.
