History

In November 2012, the City Council and Park Commission kicked off a feasibility study for a new community center/natatorium. The study examined options related to size, amenities, programming and community support. To see more about the Community Center Feasibility Report, click here.

In conjunction with the feasibility study, the Park Commission directed staff to conduct a parks assessment report of our parks system. This comprehensive audit reviewed and cataloged the condition of not only the parks, but the playgrounds, shelters, ball fields, trails and equipment of our public spaces. The process identified over 15 million dollars in deferred maintenance and infrastructure issues in our parks system.   To see the 2013 Parks Assessment Report, click here.

 
At the June 17, 2013 City Council Meeting, the Parks Commission recommended a dedicated Parks Sales Tax to address the deferred maintenance issues found in the parks assessment report, construct a new community center, and fund future park land development and program expansion. The board reviewed the City's existing sales tax rate, best practices of other metro cities and the City's capital and operating needs before giving this recommendation.

Deferred Park Maintenance

Proposed Projects Include: 

• Fund an Annual Trail Repair Program
• Repairs at Hidden Valley Sports Complex
• Shelter replacement at Pink Hill Park
• Replacing the smaller playground at Rotary Park
• Repairing the tennis courts at Baumgardner Park

View a complete project work list with cost estimates, click here.

Community Center

The proposed initiative will fund the construction and operation of a Community Center.  The proposed Community Center amenities include:

• Indoor Aquatics Center with a leisure pool, lap pool, therapy pool, lazy river, water slides and water spray play structure
• Indoor basketball/volleyball courts and a walking/running track
• Meeting, event, class and community rooms
• Indoor stage/performing arts space
• Children's indoor playground
• Teen center

Future Park Land Development and Program Expansion

The proposed expansions include: 

• Complete the Gregory O. Grounds Park trail loop
• Develop existing park land
• Expand senior programming
• Support performing and visual arts
• Develop a scholarship fund for parks programming and community center membership  

To see a map of the undeveloped parks in Blue Springs, click here.

Initiative Oversight

Revenues from the proposed parks sales tax are only to be used for parks purposes. The tax cannot be used for other General Fund programs or services. This proposed funding would not replace current General Fund allocations for parks.

The Parks Commission, made up of Blue Springs citizens, will be charged with oversight of the tax. If approved, the Parks Commission will make regularly scheduled reports to the City Council on spending of funds collected by the tax and report on performance goals. These reports would be posted to the City's Web site for review.

Ballot Question # 2 Language

The question proposed to voters on the Nov. 5 ballot is:

Shall the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, impose a sales tax of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) for the purpose of providing funds for local parks for the City, including but not limited to, the construction of a community recreation center, park maintenance, park operations and park development, including the retirement of indebtedness relating to local parks?

Financial Impact to Residents

This initiative will be funded by residents and non-residents making retail purchases within Blue Springs. This initiative will not affect the price of gasoline in Blue Springs.

The � cent sales tax adds 25 cents for every $50 spent in Blue Springs and would raise approximately $3 million dollars annually. The current sales tax rate is 7.975% and if the tax is approved by voters, our tax rate will be 8.475%.  

For more information about the initiative, click here.

On Wednesday, October 9, I joined children, parents and administrators from the Blue Springs School District and State Sen. Will Kraus, as we walked to school on Missouri's Walk to School Day.  

We had a beautiful walk to Thomas Ultican Elementary School and I enjoyed chatting with the students along the way.  To see more photos, click here.

I am often a guest on JAG TV and I wanted to show off their new set!  Special thanks to the JAG TV sponsors for helping these students get a professional-style broadcast desk.  

Blue Springs South's JAG TV is a weekly produced TV Newscast broadcasted every Friday at Blue Springs South High School, then re-broadcasted daily on BSSD TV.  These students, and Jag TV, are part of a Video Production & Broadcasting class in which many areas of TV communications are taught. Students experience shooting, editing video, interviewing, writing, covering stories, doing LIVE TV updates & news anchoring.

To see the debut episode of the new set, click here.