City of Shawnee

Parks & Pipes and Pavement

Parks Pipes and Pavement Presentation Dates


Parks & Pipes and Pavement
Two Questions. One Ballot. This November.

On November 7, voters will be asked to make a decision on two ballot questions regarding the future funding of City infrastructure projects. The first question will ask voters if they would like to renew “Parks & Pipes”, a 1/8 cent citywide sales tax that is specifically designated for building and improving City parks, trails, and the stormwater drainage systems. On the same ballot, voters will be asked to renew “Pavement”, a 3/8 cent citywide sales tax that is specifically used for maintenance and improvements to City streets, curbs, and sidewalks.

Question 1 (Parks & Pipes): Shall the following be adopted?

Shall the following be adopted? Shall the City of Shawnee Kansas be authorized to continue to levy a Special Purpose Citywide Retailers’ Sales Tax of one-eighth of one percent (0.125%), with approximately one-half of the revenue therefrom pledged for use for acquiring and/or improving land for park or recreation purposes and approximately one-half for storm drainage improvements including repayment of bonds issued for those purposes, such tax to take effect on January 1, 2026, the day following the expiration of the existing sales tax for the same purposes, and end on December 31, 2035?

Question 2 (Pavement): Shall the following be adopted?

Shall the following be adopted? Shall the City of Shawnee Kansas be authorized to continue to levy a Special Purpose Citywide Retailers’ Sales Tax of three-eighths of one percent (0.375%) to be used to fund the repairing, rebuilding, rehabilitating, upgrading and improving of streets, curbs, and sidewalks in the City of Shawnee, including repayment of bonds issued for those purposes, with approximately one-third of the revenue therefrom pledged to be used to initiate a street improvement program, such tax to take effect on April 1, 2025, the day following the expiration of the existing sales tax for the same purposes, and end on March 31, 2035?

 


VOTE

Parks & Pipes and Pavement
Sales Tax Election Dates

October 17 - Last Day to Register to Vote
November 7 - Election Day

For voter registration, advance voting, and election information visit the Johnson County Election Office

 

Are these two new taxes?
No, both taxes are renewals! Parks & Pipes was first approved by voters in 2000 and renewed in 2004 and 2014. Pavement was approved by voters in 2014.
What does renew mean?
A tax renewal takes the current tax with an upcoming expiration and extends that expiration to a later date, while maintaining the same tax rate. Kansas law requires all special purpose sales taxes to expire after 10 years or be renewed by the voters.
Are there other cities that have dedicated sales taxes for Parks & Pipes and Pavement?
Yes! Some of our neighboring cities, Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood, and Lenexa all have dedicated sales taxes for similar projects. Sales taxes are common ways for cities to maintain and improve infrastructure we use every day.

Olathe recently renewed their 3/8 cent sales tax for street maintenance and their 1/8 cent sales tax for parks. Overland Park just increased their sales tax for streets from 1/8 cent to 3/8 cent. Lenexa has a 3/8 cent sales tax used to maintain roads, improve existing park facilities, and provide new recreational opportunities.
Why a sales tax?
Sales taxes are paid by anyone who shops in Shawnee, so a portion of these taxes come from non-residents who are driving on city roads and visiting our parks system. You don’t have to be a resident to contribute to our community.
If these sales taxes don’t expire until 2025, why are we being asked to consider them so early?
We are asking the community to consider these tax renewals now to ensure there is no gap in funding.
How much money are these taxes expected to raise?
Historically, the Parks & Pipes tax has brought in about $2 million each year. Future projections anticipate a similar return. This is split 50/50 between parks and stormwater projects.

Historically, the Pavement tax has brought in about $6 million each year. Future projections anticipate a similar return.
What does a YES vote mean?
Voting ‘yes’ on the Parks & Pipes ballot measure will renew the 1/8 cent sales tax on January 1, 2026, continuing to bring in revenue for improvements to parks and green spaces as well as stormwater pipes and drains. This tax began in 2000 and has contributed heavily to many improvements over the last twenty years.

Voting ‘yes’ on the Pavement ballot measure will renew the 3/8 cent sales tax on April 1, 2025, allowing the City to continue to bring in revenue that will be used specifically for pavement and street improvement projects. This tax has funded many roadway projects over the past ten years.
What does a NO vote mean?
A vote ‘no’ on either measures means you do not wish to renew the current 1/8 cent sales tax for Parks & Pipes and/or the 3/8 cent sales tax for Pavement. The Parks & Pipes sales tax currently provides funding for new and upgraded parks and trails and improved stormwater systems. The Pavement sales tax currently provides improvement and replacement for Shawnee’s street infrastructure.
Will the money generated from the Parks & Pipes Sales Tax (Question 1) be used for regular maintenance of park facilities?
No. While the topic of maintenance was discussed at a City Council meeting, the ballot language will remain as originally proposed, meaning the revenue is specifically designated for building and improving City parks and trails.