K.C. light rail reversal vote unlikely this year

Friday, August 17, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It will likely be next year before Kansas City voters decide whether to reverse last year's passage of a light rail plan.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser had hoped for a vote in November, but said other considerations made Funkhouser and Councilman Ed Ford proposed an ordinance on Thursday, calling for a Nov. 6 vote, but Funkhouser acknowledged the ordinance is unlikely to pass.

The City Council is scheduled to vote Aug. 23 on the proposal by Funkhouser and Ford, and it would take nine "yes" votes -- a supermajority -- rather than the usual seven to place light rail on the November ballot.

This year's ballot already includes a measure to renew a 1-cent sales tax for capital improvements. Opponents of a November light rail vote said it could hurt efforts to renew the tax.

Councilwoman Cindy Circo, who is co-chairing the city's sales tax renewal efforts, said having both issues on one ballot could confuse voters. Circo also said that pushing the light rail vote to February would give the city time to come up with an alternative plan.

The original light rail plan, designed by longtime activist Clay Chastain, passed in November 2006.

Mortgage banker James B. Nutter Sr., who led a petition drive to force reconsideration of the light rail measure, said he had wanted a November vote but didn't mind waiting until next year.

"It's done. It's all over. It's going to be February," Nutter said Thursday afternoon. "We've waited a long time. What's three more months?"