Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Merriam mayor to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Merriam residents.

Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

Development incentives: One of the biggest developments in the city currently is the $102 million Merriam Grand Station Marketplace project at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road. Developers for that site are getting tax increment financing and a community improvement district. Do you support incentivizing this project? Under what circumstances would you support incentives for other future developments?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:

Billy Croan

For over 30 years, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has robbed our community of funds that could have been used for parks, schools, libraries, etc. TIF is the reason the tax burden on homeowners and renters (through their landlords) is so high. However, TIF does have its merits. It can be beneficial in cities that are still expanding….Merriam isn’t. We have been landlocked as long as I’ve been alive. Heavy reliance on TIF is no longer appropriate. TIF usage must be restricted and presented transparently to Merriam residents before making the “deal”, in the open, not in secret meetings.

Regarding Merriam Grand Marketplace – Developers received an extremely lucrative deal to develop the vacant Kmart property at great expense to the tax payer. This “deal” (business transaction) has already been struck. Therefore, I’ll do my best to ensure its success. It may be decades before Merriam Grand Marketplace turns enough profit to offset the handout, but if it fails, my opponent put us at risk of “unlimited ad-valorem taxes!” so I’m very much committed to supporting the successful development of the North side of Shawnee Mission Parkway. I realize that TIF will be integral in this deal that is already in progress so I support it continuing as agreed.

My challenger appears to be comfortable putting our city at financial risk. I’ll always place my neighbors above wealthy, corporate interests (fellow landlords). I’ve witnessed the poor decisions of my predecessor and I will not treat my neighbors with the same disrespect.

Bob Pape (incumbent)

I’ll point out that similar to addressing downtown and single-hauler, incentivizing a grocery store was something we asked about in our last resident survey. Almost 60% of residents responded we should try to bring a grocery store here even if it requires a multi-million-dollar incentive package. What’s unique with Merriam Grand Marketplace is that the City is the largest beneficiary of the incentives. The majority of TIF funds and 100% of the CID come directly to the City to pay for land acquisition and public infrastructure. The City will own the grocery store and restaurant. The developer will only receive $13 million for the parking structure and they will not get any CID funds. As a reminder, the City used TIF to pay for the parking structure at the community center so it would accommodate the Merriam Plaza Library. Also, the CID could be established up to 2%. However, it was important to me to be set at 1% and that it not be charged at the grocery store. Using TIF and CID allows us to develop a corner that had blighted and vacant buildings. We are able to bring you the requested grocery store without using a single dollar from our operating funds. If we could find another initiative that the majority of residents want and improves the quality of our City, I am willing to consider it. Especially if it also brings in non resident sales tax dollars, which allows us to lower our property tax rate.