Kansas and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, have reached an agreement over disputed provisions of the deal to move the Chiefs to Kansas. Announced Friday evening, the resolution clears the way for the local government to dismiss its lawsuit against the state.
The dispute centered on how much authority the local government would retain under the stadium agreement. In its Oct. 9 lawsuit, the Unified Government alleged that Kansas had unconstitutionally taken away local powers through the deal intended to bring the Chiefs across the state line. The newly announced agreement addresses authority over development around the stadium.
The lawsuit came immediately after the county and city board of commissioners unanimously voted to opt out of portions of the law. Commissioners sought to preserve local control over certain taxes, zoning and utilities while still securing a seat on the board. Those concerns about local jurisdiction formed the basis of the challenge to the state's arrangement.
Under Friday's agreement, the Unified Government and the Wyandotte County Board of Public Utilities retain jurisdiction over development surrounding the Chiefs stadium. That includes local planning and zoning authority, along with payment of Board of Public Utilities fees. The agreement therefore distinguishes the surrounding development from the stadium property itself.
The stadium and its parking areas will belong to the Kansas Sports Facilities Authority. Those facilities will be exempt from local zoning requirements and building codes. Under the state's arrangement, the Kansas City Chiefs will lease the stadium for $7 million a year.
The resolution also opens a route for the Board of Public Utilities to establish a partnership with electric company Evergy concerning electricity service for the new stadium. That provision accompanies the clarification of the utility board's jurisdiction over the surrounding development.
Gov. Laura Kelly welcomed the agreement as an important step in the Chiefs deal. She emphasized communication among the parties and said the project would bring economic benefits to Kansas City, Kansas, Wyandotte County residents and the state, while providing a home for the team.
Mayor Christal Watson also welcomed the recent cooperation. In a statement, she said all parties continued to support the Chiefs, the stadium project and the economic opportunity they expect it to create for residents of Wyandotte County and Kansas.
