BREAKING: Royals Stadium Fever Hits Clay County, Again – Symptoms Include Tax Hikes, Nostalgia, and Mild Outrage

BREAKING: Royals Stadium Fever Hits Clay County – Symptoms Include Tax Hikes, Nostalgia, and Mild Outrage

By Your Friendly Neighborhood Taxpayer Watchdog

CLAY COUNTY, MO — April 21, 2025
Because nothing screams “smart fiscal planning” quite like another tax proposal stacked on top of the one voters just passed, stadium fever is once again sweeping the Northland—and this time, it wants your wallet and your nostalgia.

Word on the street (and by “street,” we mean Facebook comment sections and neighborhood rants) is that some local leaders are pushing to bring the Kansas City Royals north of the river, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s a shiny new 1% sales tax being floated to help seal the deal. Yes, another one. Because apparently, Clay County is now a subscription service for sports billionaires.

That's right, nothing says “economic development” quite like another taxpayer-funded stadium, the Northland is once again buzzing with rumors (read: pre-lobbying soft launches) that Clay County might become the new home of the Kansas City Royals. And what better way to celebrate than with another fresh 1% tax layered like frosting on the already piping-hot cake of the Liberty Public Safety Sales Tax that just passed?

That’s right, folks—stadium fever is back, and it's contagious.

Local resident Carol Foster put it plainly: “Liberty, in Clay County, just passed a 1% tax for public safety, and now Clay County is proposing a new 1% tax for a stadium. Where does it stop?” Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Not until every latte comes with a surcharge labeled “ballpark beautification fund.”

But wait, before you roll your eyes straight into your property tax bill, let’s take a moment to mourn what we’ve lost—and maybe what we’re about to lose again.

Northtown, once a self-sufficient gem of Midwestern charm, boasted thriving industries south of Armour Road, tidy neighborhoods filled with actual homeowners (remember those?), and safe parks where kids could run around without fear of tripping over a luxury apartment complex or a pop-up brewery. There were movie theaters, good schools, bustling retail—all within arm’s reach.

Then came the floodgates: Harrah’s Casino brought in new cash and new priorities. Somewhere along the line, the city’s motto subtly shifted from “Let’s Be Northtown—Surrounded by KC” to “Let’s Be Just Like KC—But With Less Parking.”

Resident-owned homes gave way to investor portfolios. Apartments shot skyward like the property tax bills that fund them. And now? Now we’re told that what Northtown really needs is 30,000 parking spaces, ballpark nachos, and enough game-day traffic to simulate an evacuation drill every weekend from April to October.

Of course, some Northlanders are rolling out the welcome mat. “I’m not going to notice an additional tax,” Northland resident Kenny wrote online.

Others, however, aren’t quite ready to crown Clay County as MLB’s next tax victim. “Time for a new TEA party,” suggested Karen Hutchison.

Meanwhile, seasoned armchair urban planners are proposing bold alternatives—like revitalizing the existing stadiums. “Skybridges! Restaurants! Moveable walkways!” exclaimed one man, likely unaware that such amenities are usually reserved for SimCity, not Kansas City.

But don’t worry—if you weren’t too thrilled about the 1% sales tax Liberty just passed for “public safety,” get ready to fall in love with another 1% for “stadium relocation.” That’s right, Clay County residents might soon be paying for a stadium and a police force they were already funding last week.

Meanwhile, the Royals’ billionaire owner John Sherman—whose bank account is roughly the size of the GDP of Iceland—might just need a little help building his next concrete playground.

And for those saying, “Just leave the stadium where it is”? Sorry, the Royals have already announced that Kauffman Stadium will be yesterday’s news by 2030, no matter how many tailgate memories you cling to.

So what’s next for Clay County? Maybe a “Public Guilt Tax” for questioning sports progress, or a “Regret Rebate” once people realize they can’t afford to park at the stadium they paid for.

Until then, pour one out for the Northtown that once was: the self-sufficient city with charm, safety, and homeowners. It might soon be replaced by stadium lights, traffic jams, and a commemorative plaque reading, “Built with your money, but not for you.”

But let’s not forget the taxpayers’ favorite part: footing the bill for something they may never be able to afford to enjoy. “Who would that benefit?” asked Suzie Smith of Liberty. “Certainly not the general population whose money this would be built with but can’t afford tickets.” She then vanished into the fog of common sense, which is rarely seen in these discussions.

As for those still clinging to the dream of a Northland untouched by multimillion-dollar mega-structures and soul-crushing traffic? Steve Wolverton mourned, “It is looking more like KCMO every year. A baseball park with unbelievable traffic problems will seal the deal.”

So, buckle up Clay County. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a casual taxpayer, or just someone trying to buy Sudafed without getting panhandled, one thing is clear: the Royals might be coming, and your wallet better start stretching.

Coming soon: Tired of paying taxes for billionaires? Ask your doctor about moving to Platte County. Side effects may include peace and a lower sales tax.