Kansas City, Mo. ? The Jackson County Legislature has agreed to ask voters in November to extend an existing sales tax to finance the arts in the metropolitan area.

Voters will be asked in the Nov. 5 election to extend the one-eighth-cent sales tax, which generates $240 million a year, with $40 million going toward a downtown Kansas City performing arts center.

However, the county Legislature also outlined at least $80 million more in specific projects it wanted to see throughout Jackson County, including a $40 million performing arts center in Independence.

“It’s time we address the needs in eastern Jackson County,” said legislative chairman Victor Callahan. “Too often, eastern Jackson County has been viewed as a set of taxpayers who are asked to fund projects for the people of Kansas City.”

The measure would extend a sales tax put in place in 1997 with Bistate I, which financed renovation of Union Station. Although Monday’s decision places the question solely with Jackson County voters, supporters hope commissioners across the state line in Johnson County will place a similar measure on the ballot there.

Under the Jackson County plan, the tax would generate a $20 million operational endowment for the museums at 18th and Vine, $10 million for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, $7 million to construct an amphitheater in Raytown and $3 million for the Avila School of the Performing Arts.