WATCH: The Post’s first night of candidate forums for Overland Park City Council

Economic development incentives, the ongoing comprehensive plan review and Overland Park’s property tax rate were some of the major topics of discussion at a candidate forum hosted by the Post on Wednesday evening at the Blue Valley Library.

About 70 people attended, gathering in the library’s meeting room.

The forum featured four candidates vying for seats on the Overland Park City Council representing the southern portion of the city.

Who are the south Overland Park candidates?

Ward 5

• Incumbent Faris Farassati
• Inas Younis

Ward 6

• Incumbent Scott Hamblin
• Chris Newlin

How to watch the forums

• The Post’s recording of the forum is embedded below.
• Immediately following the embedded video are the questions each candidate answered during the forum.
• Timestamps are included in bold to help navigate through the forum video.
• Find more of the Post’s candidate forums here.

1. Candidate opening statements. [4:08]
2. What will be your biggest priority or priorities if elected or reelected to the city council over the next four years? [8:56]

   

3. Where do you fall on the spectrum between wanting to cut local taxes, relieve the tax burden of residents, at the same time making sure that city services are fully and adequately funded? [19:27]
4. Where do you fall in the debate on incentives? Is there a use for them? [32:45]

   

5. Did you personally vote for or against the ⅜ cent infrastructure sales tax measure? In your mind, is this a prudent way to fund ongoing street maintenance? Why or why not? [46:30]
6. How do you want to see a revised comprehensive plan envision the future of a changing Overland Park, especially in south Overland Park? What aspects of the city’s future should be prioritized, in your opinion, through this ongoing process? [59:35]

   

7. Please describe an experience, whether it be on the city council or not, that resulted in a compromise. How would you work toward compromise, if elected? [1:09:25]
8. Where do you get your campaign contributions from? If any potential conflicts of interest exist with who you’re receiving money from now, would that impact your votes, if elected? [1:14:44]

   

9. Closing statements. [1:21:57]