Lawsuit filed against Platte County Commission after blocking voter-approved youth mental health tax

PLATTE CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Wednesday, two voters filed a lawsuit against the Platte County Commission and Missouri Department of Revenue after the commission rejected a voter-approved youth mental health tax in December.

In November, Platte County voters approved the quarter-cent sales tax for the Children’s Services Fund, which would allow funding for mental health services for children under the age of 19.

In December, The three Platte County Commissioners voted unanimously to reject the sales tax. The commission cited state law that says they may levy the tax — not shall levy the tax — which they said gave them the choice to nix the tax.

The group, Platte County 4 Kids has met multiple times since this decision and decided court would be their next step to get the sales tax implemented. Beacon Mental Health, formerly Tri-County Mental Health, is a nonprofit that provides mental health services to youth and adults. The Platte County 4 Kids coalition includes them, Synergy Services, and Platte County school districts.

In the ‘Petition for Writ of Mandamus,’ Greg Plumb and Tara Bennett are the two named in filing the suit against the County and State.

Both voted ‘yes’ for the Children’s Services Tax. Plumb was involved in campaigning to get the tax on the ballot and Bennett said she is a mother who wants these resources for all kids in the county.

“In most places, 56% percent is considered a landslide the voters have spoken,” said Platte County voter, Tara Bennett.

Both said not having this tax is harming Platte County kids from accessing mental health resources.

“I’m willing to pay a few pennies more in taxes to help save the lives of children in our neighborhoods,” said Platte County voter, Greg Plumb.

“Maybe we are not going to have to receive another one of those emails the school district grieves the loss of another child who decided to take his or her own life,” said Bennett.

Through this lawsuit, they want a court order for the Commission to implement the tax approved by voters and appoint the nine-member board for the fund.

They also want the court to require the Missouri Department of Revenue to start collecting the sales tax.

KCTV5 reached out to the Platte County Commissioners on Friday for comment on this case.

Platte County Second District Commissioner Joe Vanover shared in part, “The radical left only cares about raising taxes and advancing their woke agenda. Instead of helping children, they are wasting money on lawyers.”

Platte County President Commissioner, Scott Fricker shared: “We’re confident that the Commission acted in accordance with State law and we look forward to a swift conclusion with a ruling in the Commission’s favor.”

The Missouri Department of Revenue also responded:

“Though the Department cannot comment on pending litigation, we are monitoring the case and will of course follow the decisions of the court.”

Bennett and Plumb said if this sales tax is implemented it would cost taxpayers about $20 a year with a lot of the money coming from visitors at the airport and Zona Rosa.

“Who wouldn’t give up four or five cups of coffee to make sure another young person isn’t in despair and doesn’t have the treatment and chooses to end their life,” said Bennett.

The lawsuit is still pending through the court system. Those who filed it are hoping for a decision before April to get the tax implemented.

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