Independence voters to decide on new sales tax that would raise pay for police officers
Voters will decide in the Aug. 6 election on a new sales tax to increase pay for Independence police officers.
If the measure passes, the additional one-fourth cent sales tax will be applied to purchases in Independence. It’s expected to bring in about $5.47 million annually and would remain in effect until repealed by voters.
City officials said the tax is necessary to increase wages for police officers and stay competitive with area agencies, including the Kansas City Police Department, which recently adopted a new wage scale that hiked pay.
During a special meeting in May, Independence City Manager Zach Walker told the City Council that at the current level over 20 years, an Independence police officer would make $579,000 less than a Kansas City officer.
Entry level officers with KCPD make $65,000. Under the new proposal if voters approve the tax, Independence pay would increase to $62,000.
Officials said the boost will help recruit new officers and retain current employees.
The Independence Police Department has 230 sworn positions. Of those, 38 are vacant. The department would have to move officers away from specialized units like tactics and criminal investigations to patrol if 10 to 12 more officers left the department, Walker said.
He pointed out that there were other funding options, such as the city’s $930,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money that has to be spent by the end of the year. But Walker said using that money is a one-time solution, while the sales tax is a permanent solution.
Lora McDonald, executive director of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, said it was reasonable for Independence’s wages to be in line with KCPD. But she asked if “they just keep citing each other to drive it up and is it fair to taxpayers?”
McDonald also said she would rather see money being invested proactively to prevent crime rather than on reactive efforts, and voiced concern about past “spending issues with that department.” An officer earned $160,000 in overtime after performing construction work at the police department, a 2022 investigation found.
The city already has a one-eighth cent sales tax for police department capital improvements that is set to expire in 2028. Tax revenue from marijuana sales is dedicated to a redesign of the city’s Justice Center.
The vote will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6. You can see what else is on Missouri ballots in the 2024 KC Voter Guide.
