As a proud resident of Platte County, I am looking forward to voting in favor of the Platte County Children’s Services Fund ballot initiative on Tuesday of next week. Platte County has long been a pro-family community, with outstanding schools and safe, friendly neighborhoods. The Platte County Children’s Services Fund (called the Platte County Question on the ballot) will help Platte County enhance its reputation as a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
We have been pleased to see the openness of Platte County citizens to investing a ¼ of a penny sales tax to generate roughly $5 million dollars per year to strengthen our community. The funds would be used to support the ever-growing mental health needs and drug use prevention efforts for youth and families in Platte County. The funds could only be used to serve Platte County residents, and a good portion of the tax income will come from the purchases made by airport travelers and those who shop at the big box stores along the I-29 corridor in Platte County.
One of the most exciting prospects raised by this Fund is the opportunity to get out in front of the mental health needs that have developed over the past two decades. Beacon Mental Health has an outstanding Prevention Team, and support from the Platte County Children’s Services Fund will increase their impact on suicide prevention, fentanyl overdose prevention, and other mental health needs that our children face now and in the future.
Those voters who are interested in how such a fund works can look across the county line to Clay County, where the Children’s Services Fund of Clay County has been enhancing services for youths and families for over five years. Like the Platte County proposal, the Clay County funding decisions are made by a county-appointed board comprised of local residents, and all the funds go to help local nonprofits serve youth and families in Clay County. If you would like to see the Children’s Services Fund of Clay County impact reports, you can read them here.
On Tuesday, Platte County can take a giant step forward to help our community continue to be one of the best places in the state and country to raise a healthy, happy family. I hope you will join me in voting “Yes” for the Platte County Question for Kids.
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