VIDEO: UG Mayor/CEO Mark Holland defends staff member, accuses Murguia of bullying

By NICK SLOAN
nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland defended a staff member who was criticized by Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia last week.

Murguia accused Holland's staff member of speaking negatively of the commission at a meeting last week.

Three UG commissioners unofficially re-elected

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Unified Government Commissioners Ann Murguia, Brian McKiernan and Angela Markley will not face a challenger this spring.

No one stepped up to challenge the incumbents.

Murguia represents District 3 on the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners. McKiernan represents District 2, while Markley represents District 4.

UG Board of Commissioners approve changes to casino grant process

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
Kansas City Kansan Publisher

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Starting this year, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners will have the final say on where funding from the Unified Government-Hollywood Casino Grant Fund will go.

All commissioners, along with Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland, will also be allowed to allocate a share of the fund. This year, it would total $44,990 worth of funds.

Pit bulls remain banned in KCK after 4-4 vote

By NICK SLOAN
nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The pit bull ban remains in effect in Kansas City, Kan., after a motion to lift the ban failed by a 4-4 vote.

Six votes were required to lift the ban.

Commissioners Ann Murguia, Angela Markley, Mike Kane and Jane Philbrook voted to over-turn the ban.

Commissioners Hal Walker, Jim Walters, Gayle Townsend and Tarence Maddox voted to keep the ban in place.

Had a fifth commissioner voted “aye,” the vote would have turned to Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland.

Commissioner Ann Murguia files for re-election

By NICK SLOAN

nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Unified Government Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia will seek re-election to the 3rd District Commissioner's position.

Murguia, after being elected in 2007, is seeking her third term.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the people of the 3rd District. I appreciate all the help and support my constituents have given me over the years. I value the importance of this position to our community, and if reelected, look forward to working hard to continue our good work and successes.”

Commissioner Murguia explains "no" vote on 2015 UG budget

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Last week in a story about the Unified Government passing its 2015 fiscal year budget, I quoted Unified Government Commissioner Jim Walters extensively on why he voted against the budget.

On Wednesday, UG Commissioner Ann Murguia posted her thoughts on the budget and I thought I would pass them along on here. Whenever an elected official takes time to communicate with his or her constituents, that correspondence needs to be spread across all outlets of communication.

You can view her Facebook page here.

Below is word for word from her account:

The 2015 budget passed last Thursday and I wanted to provide all of you my personal vote on the 7 budget items.

1) First vote was adoption on the "Consolidated Plan". This deals with HOME and CDBG money from the federal government. I voted YES!

2) The PILOT. This stands for Payment In Lieu of Taxes. It is the fee the BPU pays to the UG instead of property tax. We voted on keeping the rate the same - NO INCREASE. The PILOT clearly generates more revenue than taxes would generate. Therefore this would cause significant budget shortfalls for the UG to do away with the PILOT. Changing this over night won't happen but developing a plan to change over time could and should happen. I voted YES! for now.

3) Sewer service rate. This is a fee the UG charges to help pay for a FEDERAL MANDATE by EPA to separate storm water from sewer. I don't like it but voting no would only result in a federal law suit that we would lose. Not even debatable. I voted YES!

4) Solid Waste. This is your trash removal. We get a better trash rate for our citizens by having the UG solicit bids on behalf of all the residents. I don't like the thought of people taking trash removal into their own hands. We have enough illegal dumping. I voted YES!

5) Wyandotte County Library Board. It did not change I voted YES!

6) SSMID budget for downtown. The majority of businesses in a specific geographic area of downtown KCK choose to tax themselves to pay people to keep trash picked up off the streets, do landscaping and a variety of other types of beautification efforts. I believe if people want to tax themselves that is up to them. I voted YES!

7) Annual Budget. This is the piece that sets our mil levy and determines the city and county tax rate. It was decreased in KCK by 2 mils and increased by 2 mils in Bonner and Edwardsville. Though I do not represent anyone outside the city. I was opposed to an increase anywhere, including Bonner and Edwardsville. I voted NO!

By 6-2 vote, UG commissioners approve 2015 budget

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Unified Government Board of Commissioners officially put the 2015 budget to bed Thursday evening, approving the budget by a 6-2 margin.

The budget will increase property taxes for residents in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville, as the county mill levy was raised by two mills. Residents in Kansas City, Kan., will be a bit luckier this year, as the city mill levy was lowered by two mills.

Combined with the increase of the county levy, the total levy for KCK residents remains flat for 2015.

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland said the mill levy increase was appropriate. In his final comment about this year's budget, Holland again called for Wyandotte County's public safety departments to find a way to save dollars.

"We have to find a way to curb these expenses," Holland said, adding that not adequately funding public safety is the biggest threat to Wyandotte County.

Commissioners Jim Walters and Ann Murguia were the two commissioners who voted no on the budget.

Walters, who represents Bonner Springs and Edwardsville on the board, voted against the budget that increases the tax rate of his constituents.

In a comment about his vote, Walters said he understands the loss of $400,000 in state revenue put the UG in a tough place.

However, he said he believed raising taxes to help pay for a new $20 million emergency radio system was not the right thing to do. A previous group of county commissioners voted to approve of it.

"That's an awkward position for us to be in," Walters said. "I don't think the previous commission - if they really thought a tax increase was mandatory - would have passed or approved the purchase without making any accommodation for a new revenue stream. I think the staff had had a year and a half to find (the new revenue stream) to fund it.  I don't think we should increase taxes to do so."

For Murguia, it's the third time she's voted against a budget that featured a tax increase for residents in Wyandotte County.

Argentine Neighborhood Development Association announces $675,000 donation to UG

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

The Argentine Neighborhood Development Association has announced a $675,000 donation to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.

The $675,000 figure is a combined contribution of cash donations, property and recreation improvements in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City, Kan.

Specifics of the announced donation:

• Property valued at $500,000 was donated and will be used for the location of the new public safety campus. 

• A $10,000 cash donation to the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department new equipment.

• Improved tennis courts at Emerson Park. 

• Improvements to Vega Field, which include new park benches and two concrete pads for existing benches. New interior lighting will be used for restroom facilities.

"The projects we have been a part of have been very successful in both changing the face of the Argentine neighborhood and the lives of the people that live there," a statement from an ANDA press release says. "We felt like it made sense to continue plowing the economic gains these projects generated back into the neighborhoods so that the entire community could share in the project's success."

In recent years, new development has found its way to Argentine.

Over $1.6 million in funds were donated to build and open a new grocery store in the area, along with a new Walmart.

A similar drive was held to open a new branch of the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.

GRAPHIC: Wyandotte County residents, businesses not paying property taxes

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- I spotted an interesting graphic on Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia's Facebook page this week.

The areas in red are homes and businesses that have not paid property taxes in the past four years. The blue areas are property in the county's land bank.

Click the map to see larger version of it. 

As Wyandotte County continues to face budget issues, this is something to keep in mind.

Meanwhile, Murguia announced three specific goals for her district:

1) Reduce the number of property tax delinquent properties in my district by 50% in 1 year.

2) Increase the property tax collected in my district by $5 million in 1 year by increasing the number of tax paying businesses and residential properties.

3) Create 500 new jobs in 1 year.

Commissioners express support for having state handle ethics

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- At a special meeting Thursday night, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners discussed the county's ethics commission and county charter.

During the discussion on ethics, multiple commissioners proposed having the State of Kansas handle ethics to help ensure a non-partisan outcome.

"It's not just about reacting to an incident," said Commissioner Ann Murguia. "It's about an environment and it should be across the board. Utilizing the state's policy saves us time and money. Our Ethics Administrator can't do anything but issue a censure."

Commissioner Jim Walters said he believes Wyandotte County is the only county in the state that has its own local ethics administrator. He said the "smallness" of Wyandotte County puts those in the ethics department in a tough position.

"We should have higher standards than we do now," Walters said. "We put out ethics people in a very tough position to make judgement on people they know."

Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland disagrees with the idea, as does Commissioner Jane Philbrook.

"There's a lot of emotions about this," she said. "It's brought me to a point of sadness. We as a government are having trouble respecting ourselves."

Philbrook said there are things that can be changed about the ethics code, but also said the county should retain its own power.

"(Going to the state) is not something I want to do," she said. "The commission has to make decisions based on facts."

Since the issue was discussed at a special meeting, no vote was held on the matter.

However, it could appear on an agenda later on .

UG commissioners approve lease agreement with T-Bones to take over CommunityAmerica Ballpark

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The Unified Government Board of Commissioners approved of a lease agreement with the Kansas City T-Bones that allows the county to take over ownership of CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

In partnership with the State of Kansas, the agreement calls for $8.1 million of STAR bonds being used for the agreement. For the stadium's acquisition itself, $5.5 million in STAR bonds will be spent. An additional $2.5 million will be used for capital cost and upgrades.

As part of the agreement, a 20-year lease was agreed to between the Unified Government and the T-Bones.

However, the UG has the right to terminate the lease "for any reason and without cause" following the end of the 2016 season. The UG also has the opportunity to relocate the T-Bones to another stadium in lieu of termination rights.

The vote was not unanimous.

Commissioners Tarence Maddox and Gayle Townsend cast "no" votes --- and even a few of the yes votes were a bit wobbly.

Commissioner Ann Murguia expressed concern about the lack of involvement from the public about the agreement.

"I think staff has done an outstanding job, but I think even with  the history of the project, I wanted to ask the public if an $8 million deal....I think they should have a say in it," Murguia said. "It's not something government traditionally does without it being on a ballot."

A public forum was held last month about the proposal, but Murguia said the sample size wasn't large enough for a fair representation.

Still, after being initially disappointed with the proposal and the lack of communication between administrators and commissioners, Murguia voted for it.

Commissioner Hal Walker said his vote tied in with the history of The Woodlands. Of course, the horse-track by Wyandotte County Lake now is vacant and lifeless.

Walker said the failure of The Woodlands was due to the lack of foresight of the casino gaming and the fact the city did not control the property.

"The bigger problem is we had no control over the grounds (with The Woodlands)," Walker said. "If you're going in the development business and you don't control the ground, it's 10 times harder. The ownership of the ground will continue to be our benefit if (Western Wyandotte County) continues to prosper."

Below is the full agreement between the Unified Government and the T-Bones. It's lifted from the agenda for Thursday night's meeting:

1. Parties. The UG and T-Bones Baseball Club, LLC (“T-Bones”), which is a Minnesota limited liability company. The financial statements of the T-Bones are presently being reviewed by David MacGilivray, with Springsted Incorporated.

2. Purchase Price. The UG will pay $5,500,000 for acquisition of the stadium.

3. The Premises / Lease Term / Rent. The T-Bones Baseball Stadium (the "Premises") is to be leased by the UG to the T-Bones for a 20 year term expiring on January 31, 2034. Base rent is as follows:

1st Lease Year, $31,500 per year ($2,625.00 per month).
2nd Lease Year, $32,445.00 per year ($2,704.58 per month).
3rd Lease Year, $33,418.35 per year ($2,784.86 per month).
4th Lease Year, $34,420.90 per year ($2,868.41 per month).
5th Lease Year, $37,500.00 per year ($3,125.00 per month).
6th Lease Year, $38,625.00 per year ($3,218.75 per month).
7th Lease Year, $39,783.75 per year ($3,315.31 per month).
8th Lease Year, $40,977.26 per year ($3414.77 per month).
9th Lease Year, $42,206.58 per year ($3,517.22 per month).
10th Lease Year, $56,250.00 per year ($4,687.50 per month).
11th Lease Year, $57,937.50 per year ($4,828.13 per month).
12th Lease Year, $59,675.63 per year ($4,972.97 per month).
13th Lease Year, $61,465.90 per year ($5,122.16 per month).
14th Lease Year, $63,309.88 per year ($5,275.82 per month).
15th Lease Year, $65,209.17 per year ($5,434.10 per month).
16th Lease Year, $67,165.45 per year ($5,597.12 per month).
17th Lease Year, $69,180.41 per year ($5,765.03 per month).
18th Lease Year, $71,255.82 per year ($5,937.98 per month).
19th Lease Year, $73,393.50 per year ($6,116.12 per month).
20th Lease Year, $75,595.31 per year ($6,299.61 per month).

4. Ticket Tax. The T-Bones will continue to pay to the UG a Ticket Tax for the TURF fund according to the terms of the original agreement with the T-Bones in the amount of $0.50 for each ticket sold by the T-Bones for an event of any kind at the Premises for which a ticket is required for admittance, but excluding: (i) discount tickets sold at discount games for Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas residents; (ii) discounts given to community based non-profit organizations and group sales to such organizations, or other group sales at a discount; (iii) ticket sales for post or pre-season baseball games held at the Premises; (iv) Events held by RED or the UG at the Premises; (v) complimentary tickets given to the media, league officials, or any complimentary tickets made available to dignitaries or others at the request of the UG; or (vi) tickets sold at events where alcoholic beverages are not for sale or consumption.

5. Percentage Rent on Ancillary Events. In addition to the basic rent, the T-Bones shall pay the UG, as percentage rent, twenty-five percent (25%) of the net profit during any lease year for any sporting, entertainment, and other events, meetings and activities other than T-Bones baseball play.

6. Payment of Operating Expenses. The T-Bones are obligated to pay any and all costs (other than capital repairs which the UG is obligated to fund) for operating the Premises (including payment of common area maintenance levied under applicable easement agreements).

7. Real Estate Taxes. If and to the extent that the Premises are not exempt from ad valorem taxes by virtue of the UG's ownership of the Premises (which we will be applying for such property tax exemption status following the UG's acquisition of the stadium), then the UG is obligated to pay such taxes.

8. Payment of Certain Utility Expenses. The T-Bones shall pay all utility charges for electric, water, cable, gas, etc., with the only exception being that the UG shall each bear fifty percent (50%) of the total charges for storm water and sanitary sewer service used in the Premises.

9. Operating Covenant. The T-Bones are obligated to continuously operate a sports complex consistent with the operations of a typical minor league or other semi-professional baseball teams playing professional baseball.

10. Permitted Uses. The Premises are only to be used for a multi-sport complex as found in professional major or minor league stadiums and for other sporting, entertainment, events, meetings and similar activities.

11. UG Reserved Rights

• High School Baseball - The T-Bones are to make the Premises available for use by each Wyandotte County, Kansas high school baseball team, for regular and post-season games, with a cost per high school team of $250.00 per day for the first day and $500.00 for each additional day of the same calendar year. In addition, each high school team is provided 300 tickets prior to game day. All tickets in excess of 300 will be sold at the gates during the game day, and the TBones shall retain $2.00 of every ticket sold at the gate as reimbursement for costs and expenses incurred by the T-Bones related to the operation of the Premises on the game day, but the balance of the revenues from the gate will be paid by the T-Bones to the high school team.

• Parks and Recreation Use – The stadium will be made available for use upon two weeks' notice, for use by the UG and/or the UG's Parks and Recreation Department, for community events, recreational programming and other public uses, at a cost equal to the T-Bones's actual expenses in making the Premises available to the UG. For use during the season, meetings will be held early in the year to determine available time slots not to interfere with games.

12. Assignment of Lease / Sale of T-Bones. The T-Bones have the right, without the UG's consent, to assign the Lease to a party which is the purchaser of the T-Bones's baseball team, as long as: (i) the buyer has a tangible net worth of at least $5,000,000.00, and such party is or has been an owner and operator of a baseball stadium or minor league baseball team in a professional or semi-professional baseball league and (ii) the buyer assumes all of the obligations of the T-Bones under the Lease first occurring or accruing from and after the date of assumption. Upon such a sale or transfer, the T-Bones will be released from liability under the Lease going forward. Otherwise, the T-Bones may not assign the Lease or sublet the Premises, without the written consent of the UG.

13. Maintenance and Repairs. The T-Bones agree to operate, repair and maintain the Premises in a safe, clean and attractive condition, including preventative maintenance and routine, non-capital repairs or replacements made in the ordinary course of business for the Premises, including the parking facilities, lighting, scoreboards, concession facilities and the athletic field, in a manner and to the standards consistent with the manner in which the T-Bones maintained the Premises prior to its conveyance to the UG. The UG maintains responsibility for structural repairs or replacements and capital repairs or replacements of the Premises, including the parking facilities, lighting, scoreboards, and concession facilities. The UG has no obligation to perform any maintenance, repair or replacement of CommunityAmerica signs or any part of the athletic field itself. With respect to the scoreboard, the UG is responsible for capital repairs or replacements, but the T-Bones shall be responsible for ordinary repairs and replacements, such as, replacement of individual scoreboard lights.

14. Casualty & Casualty Insurance. If the Premises is damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty, then both the UG and the T-Bones have lease termination rights. Neither party has an affirmative obligation to insure the Premises against casualty, but in the event of any damage to or destruction of the Premises, the proceeds of all hazard insurance on the Premises which is maintained by the T-Bones or the UG belong to the party carrying such insurance.

15. Indemnity; Other Insurance. The lease contains standard indemnification of the UG and in addition otherwise obligates the T-Bone to maintain insurance in customary amounts, including (i) a liability policy of not less than $5,000,000.00, $5,000,000.00 products & completed operations aggregate/ and $5,000,000.00 general aggregate; (ii) coverage for the loss of income and business for a period of at least the next succeeding twelve (12) months; and (iii) worker's compensation insurance.

16. Right to Terminate or Relocate. The UG shall has the right to elect to terminate the Lease following the conclusion of the 2016 Season for any reason and without cause upon giving written notice to the T-Bones no less than fourteen (14) months prior to the commencement of the next season with a termination fee payable as follows: (i) the termination date being upon the conclusion of the 2017 Season - $1,000,000; (iii) the termination Date being upon the conclusion of the 2018 Season or thereafter - $0. In addition, as proposed the UG may elect, in lieu of the termination rights, to substitute for the Premises other premises selected by the UG, and to relocate the T-Bones to another stadium.

17. Remedies. The lease provides the UG with its normal and customary remedies in the event that-Bones default on their obligations.

Senate approves three to Kansas Board of Regents

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

TOPEKA, KAN. — Without debate, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gov. Sam Brownback's appointments of three people to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Shane Bangerter, an attorney from Dodge City; Ann Brandau-Murguia, commissioner on the Kansas City, Kan. governing board; and Helen Van Etten, an audiologist with the Topeka school district, all were approved by wide margins.

They were selected by Brownback in June to serve four-year terms on the nine-member board, which oversees a system of 32 public higher education institutions, including seven universities, 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges.

Bangerter's appointment had earlier drawn criticism from Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, who said Bangerter changed his party status in order to serve on the board.

Under state law, the nine-member board can have no more than five members of one party. Hensley said there already were five Republicans on the board.

Bangerter, a longtime Republican Party activist, changed his party affiliation from the GOP to unaffiliated.

During a committee hearing, when Hensley asked Bangerter when he changed to unaffiliated, Bangerter said he thought it was nine or 10 months ago, but according to the Ford County clerk, it was in February.

On Wednesday, Bangerter was approved 35-5; Murguia, 37-3; and Van Etten, 37-3. Only Democrats voted against the nominations.

Three new members of Kansas Board of Regents bring wide array of experiences

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

TOPEKA — Three new members of the Kansas Board of Regents, who are expected to be confirmed this week by the state Senate, bring varied backgrounds to a group that is fighting for funding for higher education and facing criticism from legislative leaders.

Shane Bangerter is an attorney in Dodge City and a founding partner of Reiben Bangerter Reiben; Ann Brandau-Murguia is a commissioner on the Kansas City, Kan., governing board; and Helen Van Etten is an audiologist with the Topeka school district.

They were selected by Gov. Sam Brownback in June to serve four-year terms on the nine-member board, which oversees a system of 32 public higher education institutions, including seven universities, 19 community colleges, and 6 technical colleges.

The three already have participated in a board retreat and will officially take up their duties once they are confirmed by the senate.

Higher education, specifically public universities, has been under fire from conservative Republican legislators, who have complained about tuition increases and administrative expenses.

During the last legislative session, Republicans approved budget cuts to the universities, and Brownback signed them into law, making Kansas one of the few states in the country that has cut higher education as the nation rebounds from the recession. Brownback has since vowed to seek a restoration of the cuts.

The three new members say they are ready to meet and discuss funding and other issues with legislators. They say they share legislators' concerns about tuition, but also want to make the case that the state's economic well-being is linked to a strong post-secondary system.

They bring varied backgrounds to their new roles.

Bangerter got the bug for higher education as a teen-ager while working on the family farm, as he and his brother were dragging irrigation pipe through the muck on a 100 degree-plus day.

Brownback appoints three to Kansas Board of Regents; vows to fight for restored funding to higher ed

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

Gov. Sam Brownback today appointed three new members to the Kansas Board of Regents and vowed to work to restore recent funding cuts to higher education.

Shane Bangerter, an attorney from Dodge City; Ann Brandau-Murguia, a commissioner for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan.; and Helen Van Etten, a Republican national committeewoman and audiologist with the Topeka school district were appointed to the regents.

They are replacing Christine Downey-Schmidt, a former state senator from Inman, Janie Perkins, a school district administrator and former mayor of Garden City, and Dan Lykins, a Topeka attorney.

The nine-member board oversees the six state universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges.

At a news conference at Kansas State University, Brownback described his appointees, who will require Senate confirmation to their four-year terms, as an "all-star team," whose members are passionate about the state.

Incoming Regents Chairman Fred Logan said to Brownback "You've knocked a home run."

Murguia appointed to Kansas Board of Regents

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Unified Government Board of Commissioner Ann Murguia has been appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback made the announcement this morning.

“Our institutions of higher education are major drivers of economic growth in our state.  The Regents play a key role in our long-term strategy to create good jobs in Kansas,” Brownback said. “Shane, Ann and Helen bring a great amount of experience and talent to the board and I am excited they’ve agreed to serve our great state.”

Along with serving on the board of commissioners, Murguia is the Executive Director of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association.

"Ann Murguia has an outstanding record of civic and public leadership in Kansas City, Kan., and the greater Kansas City area," said Regents Vice Chair Fred Logan.

Murguia ran for mayor earlier this year, coming in second place to current Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland.

She will serve a four-year term, which expires on June 30, 2017.

"SHAME ON YOU": Meeting over, no commissioner selected

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. --- After hours of interviews and three separate votes, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners still do not have someone in the At-Large District 1 seat.

Three votes ended in a 5-5 tie, with Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland casting both a tie-breaking and tie-creating vote each time, choosing former UG Commissioner Nathan Barnes over Don Budd, Jr. after commissioners voted 5-4 in favor of Budd, Jr.

After one effort by Holland to adjourn the meeting earlier failed, commissioners finally agreed to do so at around 9:20 p.m.

Commissioner Mike Kane, who earlier accused Holland of leading a witch hunt against Don Budd and Nathan Barnes, voiced his disappointment once again.

"We were given a task to pick a winner," Kane said. "To walk away from that is absolutely the wrong thing to do. We owe you people a vote tonight."

Commissioner Ann Murguia announced her support for Don Budd, Jr., earlier in the evening. Commissioners Brian McKiernan and Jane Philbrook said they voted for Barnes. Other commissioners did not disclose their votes.

"I thoughtfully considered who I believed in my heart was the best choice," McKiernan said.

Holland had said he hoped to reach a consensus, meaning one candidate would receive eight or nine votes. After three separate ballots, no candidate received the magic sixth vote required to officially become commissioner.

UG Commissioner Hal Walker, the leading advocate in a strict background check of each of the candidates before the tax issue came up, suggested a number of alternative paths.

First was leaving the seat open for 18 months or dipping back into the original pool of 18 candidates. However, fellow commissioners seemed disinterested in either option.

In their candidate interviews, Barnes and Budd Jr., spoke about The Star article.

Barnes acknowledged the back-taxes, but said he paid them this week and is now caught up on them. He said the problem occurred after a business partnership went wrong. Budd Jr., meanwhile, labeled the article as inaccurate.

After the third vote, the board finally agreed to adjourn the meeting, which led one audience member to shout "Shame on you" as commissioners walked off.

Ann Murguia: KC Star "misinformed" readers in Wyandotte County

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- After Don Budd Jr., labeled a Kansas City Star story as "inaccurate" during his presentation, Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia took her turn in criticizing The Star.

This week The Kansas City Star published an article concerning Budd Jr. and Nathan Barnes' tax records, reporting that some of their business properties failed to pay property taxes.

Budd Jr., called the article inaccurate, saying his businesses have paid over $87,000 worth of property taxes. Barnes, meanwhile, said his tax issues happened after a business partner failed to pay on time. Barnes said he's up to date in paying his taxes as of tonight.

After the presentations, Murguia criticized The Star's article.

"Decency and fairness have been forgotten in the past two days," Murguia said. "Wyandotte County readers have been misinformed by The Kansas City Star."

Murguia also denied accusations that Budd Jr., was a campaign contributor.

"Don Budd is not a campaign contributor," she said. "I've never been (politically) manipulated."

According to Murguia, Holland reached out to her about the issues surrounding the two candidates. She then questioned both on the matter.

"(Nathan) acknowledged it in a honest response," she said.

She said Budd, Jr.'s issues happened after a bad investment. She later announced her support for Budd, Jr., mentioning his business history.

"Mr. Budd developed Delaware Ridge and Delaware Highlands," she said. "The tax return on that to Wyandotte County is $3 million."

"I still believe Don Budd is the best candidate."

Barnes latest to file for vacant seat

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Former Unified Government Commissioner Nathan Barnes has filed for the vacant UG At-Large District 1 seat.

Barnes chose not to run for re-election in his district in 2013, instead focusing on the 2013 mayoral race.

Barnes finished a close third place to fellow commissioners Mark Holland and Ann Murguia in the primary. After the primary loss, Barnes chose to endorse Murguia's campaign.

Of the now six candidates so far who have declared, Barnes would bring a possible advantage in experience.

He served on the UG board from 1997-2013.

He joins Mark Gilstrap, Kelly Kultala, Don Budd Jr., Jarvis Collier and Robert Milan Jr. as candidates who have filed as of Tuesday afternoon.

The deadline is Friday at 5 p.m.

UG commissioners determine procedure to fill vacant seat; applicants have from May 3-17 to file

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners took a big step in filling the vacancy on the board Thursday night.

Commissioners unanimously agreed on the procedure they will undergo in filling the UG At-Large seat left vacant by the election of UG Mayor/CEO Mark Holland.

Here are highlights of the process:

- Those interested in filling the seat have from May 3 to May 17 to file to the UG's Board of Clerks. 

- Based on the recommendation of UG Commissioner Hal Walker, all candidates will likely undergo criminal background checks. 

"When you run for election, everything in your past is open up to scrutiny," Walker said. "I just want to make sure our choice is not a determent to our image. I think we're entitled to a vetting process."

Walker also pointed out that officials appointed to positions in the state government undergo background checks from the KBI.  

Holland elected mayor, wins 56 percent of the vote

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Six years ago, Mark Holland was elected as a Unified Government Commissioner.

Tonight, he's been elected mayor of Wyandotte County.

In a spirited race that heated up down the stretch, Holland defeated fellow Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia.

Holland won 56 percent of the vote, while Murguia won 43 percent.

Holland's campaign received a big boost early on with the endorsement of Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon.

“We’ve had such great success in the last 16 years,” Holland told the media after results came in. “People made a decision they want to continue on that same trajectory of success and growth knowing that we have great challenges still in front of us. But we are better able to address those challenges with the economic development engine we’ve developed (in Wyandotte County).”

Murguia, after finishing well behind in the primary, made up some of the gap - but not enough.

We'll have full results from all races pretty soon.