Don't we have a surplus of money in the reserves (General Fund) already?

It depends on what threshold one would consider enough in order to have a "surplus." The Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA) recommends a General Fund reserve of at least 16.7% of the general fund in normal economic conditions. With the expected loss of Walmart one could make the argument that these are not normal economic conditions and it would be prudent to err on the conservative side. Additionally, many communities in Johnson County far exceed the GFOA recommendation, and in some cases have reserves as high as two or three times this minimum.

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1. The proposed budget cut amounted to about $135,000; sales tax will bring in $288,000. Is the sales tax not just replacing the money cut from the proposed 2014 Budget plus an additional $153,000?
2. Is Resolution 630 a binding resolution that limits the use of sales tax monies or can the Governing Body decide to use the revenue for other projects as it sees fit?
3. Many citizens believed the shortfall would be split between property and sales tax hikes, along with budget cuts. Were there budget cuts?
4. How much money does the City currently have in "emergency" reserves?
5. The vast majority of budget cuts were accomplished by not replacing the deputy chief position and purchasing one police cruiser; exactly what city services will this sales tax help restore?
6. Why the rush to fill the deputy chief position without looking at alternative staffing solutions?
7. If the proposed sales tax can be used to reduce the current mill levy and the Governing Body approved a budget projected to last for 3 years, how is that possible?
8. Road/street improvements are budgeted for 2014 and not deferred. Is a sales tax increase for the same item redundant?
9. Will the new tenant fall under the Community Improvement District (CID) currently in place at the Walmart site?
10. What is the City doing to enhance the economic growth of the City, specifically, in re-tenanting the Walmart property and in bringing businesses to vacant city properties?
11. When is Walmart’s lease up, and has Walmart provided official notice that they are leaving Roeland Park?
12. Can the City assure residents that not one dime of funds collected from this sales tax will be spent until after Walmart leaves?
13. If the City is forecasting the Walmart losses and the possible additional sales tax revenue from the proposed 0.35% ballot, would the City forecast the property values over the same period?
14. Is the 27B sales tax dedicated to the continual maintenance of Roe Boulevard?
15. What is the City going to do to support this issue in the media? Getting out the vote?
16. Why did the Council not fully or adequately disclose the rearrangement of the funding for leaf pick-up program?
17. Why isn’t there a dedicated fund for the sales tax money?
18. Don't we have a surplus of money in the reserves (General Fund) already?
19. How much money will this mail ballot election cost?
20. What is Walmart's lease going dark clause?
21. How much is the Roeland Park Reserve Fund?
22. Are there any prospects for the closing of Walmart?
23. Do you think the other small businesses will move out also, next to the closing Walmart?
24. How much annual cost is the Leaf Program?
25. What percentage of the $702,000 is that of the total budget?
26. What services are currently being shared?
27. Why does the tax have to start before Walmart leaves?
28. What is tied to the losses referenced in the charts in the presentation?
29. In the slides you have projected only 2 years of loss from the departure of Walmart, but the sales tax is for 5 years. Why are you requesting more money than you need?
30. What’s the possibility of municipal bonds?