Priorities

Property Taxes

The City Council plans to raise Mission’s mill levy by 3.5 points, from 18.507 to 22.007, the highest in at least a decade. Combined with rising home appraisals, this means the average homeowner will pay about $890 to the city, contributing to a total property tax bill of over $5,000 when county, school, and state taxes are included. Residents are asking fair questions: Are we receiving $900 worth of city services? Are we satisfied with our police, public works, parks, and community development?

Meanwhile, residents are also subsidizing new developments, such as the apartments at 58th and Nall; financed with bonds and enjoying a 70% tax abatement. The city also owes millions in TIF reimbursements over the next 20 years for other apartment projects, costs ultimately carried by existing taxpayers. We must ask: how many more developments should residents fund, and what real benefit do we see in return?

Mission can’t keep raising taxes while handing out incentives to large developers. These corporate subsidies risk driving out long-time residents and small businesses, the very heart of our community. The city claims higher taxes are needed for police and infrastructure, but low bid participation inflates project costs. City staff must actively seek more competitive bids and think creatively to stretch tax dollars further.
Raising the mill levy isn’t the solution. Smarter fiscal management, accountability, and a focus on residents, not corporate developers, will keep Mission strong and affordable, restoring trust that our government works for the people who already call Mission home.

Road Infrastructure

Before we decide which streets to fix, we need to make sure we’re using reliable information. With my background in psychology and economics, I understand how surveys can be shaped by which questions are asked and how those questions are asked. I think Mission should take a hard look at its resident surveys to be sure they’re giving us a clear, accurate picture of what people really want. I believe that Mission’s surveys may not always reflect residents’ true needs and priorities, and more reliable data is essential before making million-dollar infrastructure decisions.

That said, we all know our streets and sidewalks need work. I’ve heard from residents (myself included) who are tired of dodging potholes and broken, crumbling curbs. Last Halloween I saw so many kids stumble and fall on broken pavement in front of my own home that I put out an orange safety cone. Safety should guide our priorities, especially on neighborhood streets where people walk, bike, and drive every day.

We also need to recognize who’s putting the most strain on our infrastructure. Construction projects such as the TIF financed apartments (and the extra cars on the road due to increased housing density), and certain commercial traffic cause extra wear. Those responsible should help pay for the repairs. Residents shouldn’t be footing that bill alone.

Lastly, Mission must make the most of every funding opportunity. Grants already received, like for Johnson Drive, must be used before they expire. My goal is simple: rely on good data, fix what’s most dangerous, and make every dollar count.

The Gateway Project

The foreclosure of the Mission Gateway Project marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mission. For too long, the site has been controlled by New York developers who offered big talk and no results. With a Johnson County judge now overseeing the case and an auction hopefully expected in 2026, Mission finally has the opportunity to take back control of its future.

Until then, the city should keep citing and fining it as a public nuisance. This does two things, it pressures the current owners and creditors to take responsibility, and, most importantly, it gives Mission leverage later on. Mission could be compensated at the auction, or we could use those fines as a negotiating tool when a new developer steps up.

If a new developer brings a strong plan for a commercial and mixed-use project that enhances Mission and actually gets built, the city can forgive those fines once it’s complete. This path creates both accountability and incentive.

With that, Mission can’t wait for opportunity to come to us. By identifying and engaging multiple experienced Midwest developers who have a proven record of financing and completing high-quality projects, we can attract a developer who will develop something truly special for our city. Starting those conversations now ensures Mission is in a strong position once the property goes to auction.

With the right partner, Mission Gateway can finally become more than a stalled project, it can be a vibrant destination that draws people from across the metro and restores dignity in our city.

Community Initiatives

It’s important to notice which businesses/developments are good for our community, and which aren’t. If a development is receiving tax incentives, it must not cause a higher cost than the revenue it provides.

It’s important to keep businesses in Mission to keep the city healthy. Empty commercial space is not only an eye-sore, but actively harms the community.