As police layoffs loom, Raytown considers declaring Walmart a public nuisance [View all]

[pstokely]

http://fox4kc.com/2017/09/26/as-police-layoffs-loom-raytown-considers-declaring-walmart-a-public-nuisance/

"RAYTOWN, Mo. -- Ten years after Raytown cut Walmart a sweetheart deal to convince the retail giant to come to town, city leaders are discussing declaring Walmart a public nuisance.

The discussion came during a special session to discuss budget cuts that will lead to police layoffs.

“We have cut literally everything we can when it comes to these departments," Alderman Jason Greene said during the meeting.

“There should not be any mistake. With a reduction of $3 million in cuts, people are going to lose jobs," Chief Jim Lynch said.

In an open letter released on the Raytown Police website Monday, Chief Lynch said he would have to cut 17 full-time police officers to meet the budget demands.

For months both alderman and residents have pointed to one 2007 vote as the source of the city’s problems. A TIF, that's erased roughly $3 million dollars per year in tax revenue from city revenues.

"Right now we are getting this much from Walmart," Alderman Eric Teeman said forming his fingers in a zero."

“Walmart does not pay anything to the city of Raytown; no property taxes, anything because of the TIF," Cheryl White said."