Northeast News

August 31, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Kansas City Auditor Doug Jones appeared before the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development committee on Wednesday, August 31 to present a scope statement regarding the upcoming audit of the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District (CID).

Established in 2013, the Independence Avenue CID encompasses a corridor spanning one-half of a block on either side of Independence Avenue, from The Paseo on the west to Ewing Avenue on the east. The CID funds itself by collecting a one-percent sales tax on purchases made within the corridor, along with an annual $300 special assessment for property owners (excluding non-profits) within the CID’s parameters. The Auditor’s scope statement indicated that the Independence Avenue CID’s budget is $723,000.

The Auditor’s Office decided to audit the CID after receiving several inquiries from the public.

Auditors are expected to review state CID statutes, the original petition that established the district, typical CID policies and procedures, and the district’s financial information, reports, and contracts, while also interviewing CID personnel. The audit’s objective is to determine an answer to the following question: “Is the administration of the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District transparent and accountable to the public?”

Jones and the rest of his team expect to answer that question by January of 2017, when the full audit report is projected to be issued. During the August 31 committee meeting, Jones told council members that he didn’t yet have any details to report.

“We don’t have any preliminary information about what we’ll be finding,” said Jones.

Before the discussion ended, 1st District Councilwoman Heather Hall asked if community leaders outside of the CID would be interviewed during the audit.

We may talk to stakeholders, but we don’t know which ones yet,” Jones replied. “But we are talking to people outside of the CID.”