Thursday, May 09, 2019

Why Shawnee Can't Compete With Lenexa


Many folks want the proposed community center to be approved. One reason heard often is because "Lenexa has one". So what? Lenexa has a commercial tax base that is close to double that of Shawnee. If a person has time they can drive all over Lenexa and see the commercial buildings (that pay twice what a residential owner pays). 

We won't even talk about how Lenexa planned theirs for 20 years and saved towards it. For those who don't believe me about the commercial tax base please view the image below. This is from a presentation that the Shawnee Finance Director gave to the Council Committee three days ago (5/6/19)

It shows Shawnee's commercial base as 25.6% and Lenexa's as 47.1% In Shawnee the burden will always mostly fall on residential owners. I think if you click on the image you might be able to view it larger.