Leawood council unanimously approves 1% sales tax hike at Ranch Mart North to help fund shopping center redevelopment, raising rate to 10.1%

The Leawood city council on Monday unanimously approved a community improvement district (CID) sales tax that will provide revenue to fund certain redevelopment costs for Ranch Mart North, located near 95th and Mission Road.

The CID will increase sales tax from 9.1% to 10.1% for purchases made inside Ranch Mart North boundaries starting July 1, 2020 and can stay in effect for up to 22 years. Mayor Peggy Dunn and councilmember James Azeltine noted they had heard comments from individuals who believed the city should not approve the CID, and that public funds should not be used to fund private development.
Azeltine said Leawood has been very conservative in allowing these types of incentives and reiterated that the city would not receive funds from the CID.

“It really has no effect on the City of Leawood’s budget,” he said. “It’s neutral.”

Azeltine also commented that “if you don’t like the idea you certainly don’t have to shop there.”