KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A decision by the Kansas state legislature could affect local development.
The legislature could change the rules on how developers can use state money to pay for projects.
By the end of this session, Kansas lawmakers must decide whether to keep, modify or end the STAR bond concept.
According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, STAR bonds are made up of sales tax revenue, and "provide Kansas municipalities the opportunity to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism areas."
The municipality then uses sales tax revenue from the development to pay off the bonds.
Last fall, the state approved $66 million in STAR bonds for the Bluhawk development in south Overland Park, which, when completed, will be home to a hockey arena, retailers and restaurants.
At a meeting Wednesday night, Overland Park city staff told a group of council members it is moving forward with the project with the mindset the bonds will remain in place, regardless of what happens in the state legislature.
Bluhawk is located near 159th Street and U.S. 69.
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