STAR Bond pledge

Criticized the lack of transparency and rushed timeline, saying residents don't know what other incentives or infrastructure costs are coming.

Argued the district would shift rather than create tax revenue, citing the Frisco, Texas Star district study, and said the $6 billion Chiefs franchise doesn't need public help.

Supported the project, saying landing the Chiefs over competing Johnson County cities reflects Olathe's quality staff and leadership.

Said the process lacked public engagement and urged the council to postpone the vote so residents have time to evaluate a 30-year commitment.

Conceded the scope was smaller than he thought but asked for transparency on how the Olathe piece relates to the larger stadium project.

A local developer and business owner, he supported the STAR bonds, calling the Chiefs relocation a once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunity.

Worried rising property values and taxes would price retirees out of their homes, and predicted heavy traffic near College and Ridgeview.

A tax accountant, he estimated the city's share at about $1.1 million a year for 30 years and said that money would be better spent on housing and infrastructure.

A former state legislator and property owner, she cited Governor Kelly's 2019 executive order on cross-state job moves and Prairie Fire's STAR bond default, calling the process secretive.

Despite wearing a Chiefs jersey, he opposed using taxpayer funds, arguing the site would develop on its own and asking the council to reject the ordinance.

Said he could find little public information and urged the council not to vote before completing a cost-benefit fiscal analysis.

Cited the 2021 Kansas legislative audit finding most STAR bond districts miss tourism goals and warned the district would compete with downtown Olathe revitalization; also corrected the transient guest tax figure to 7%.

Supported the project as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, saying the pledge isn't long-term city debt.

Representing IBEW Local 124 and the Tri-County Labor Council, he supported the ordinance, saying it creates union careers with strong wages and benefits.

Opposed, saying the council needs more information before committing tax dollars, comparing it to a small business seeking a bank loan without projections.

Opposed diverting sales taxes, saying it would rob police, libraries and infrastructure and burden fixed-income seniors; called it taxation without representation.

A former AP macroeconomics teacher, he cited studies finding no economic benefit from publicly financed stadiums and asked the council to 'call Clark Hunt's bluff.'

A Chiefs fan, she opposed the pledge, saying it could force her 80-year-old mother to sell her home due to rising taxes.

A 34-year Olathe educator, she supported the project, citing economic benefits, the defined user-based funding area, and benefits to students.

A 30-year resident and former Heart to Heart International CEO, he supported the project, citing the Hunt family and Chiefs organization's philanthropy.

A small business owner, he supported the pledge, citing Missouri's projected losses of $28.8 million in sales tax and nearly $1 billion in economic activity when the Chiefs leave.

Returned to note the majority of speakers opposed the vote and suggested postponing two weeks while more information comes out.

A veteran and consultant, she described being priced out by rising taxes and questioned the long-term wisdom of the pledge.

A new homeowner, she opposed the bill, saying millionaires shouldn't take public money and sales taxes should fund services everyone can use.

Asked the city to mail residents a detailed, transparent plan and allow a yay-or-nay vote, noting his taxes rose 8-10% two of the last three years.