Independence public safety tax on August ballot

A sales tax initiative to fund additional personnel for the Independence Police Department is now in the hands of voters.

The Independence City Council, on Monday, unanimously approved an ordinance placing a 3/8 cents police services sales tax on the Aug. 4 ballot. The issue could possibly add to the city’s police department 42 sworn officers – including six sergeants – and 18 civilian support staff employees.

City officials have continuously cited a number of pressing public safety issues in moving forth on the sales tax issue. A 2007 independent study determined the city needed to add more officers, more efficient communications and additional staff.

Council Member Myron Paris said Monday when he was running last year for the City Council, safety was at the top of the list of concerns for most citizens in the 3rd District.

“In visiting with people in their homes and at joint meetings with citizens, their main concern was police protection,” Paris said. “They want to feel safe. We want to make sure our citizens are safe and now they have the chance to say yes or no.”

If approved, the sales tax would go into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

The new sales tax would allow the city’s Police Department to expand from a 12-district system into a 16-district system, effectively adding 20 percent more officers on the street and increasing patrol districts by 25 percent.

“This is an opportunity as a city to step up and say ‘enough is enough,’ ” said Council Member Jim Page.

Currently, a 1/8 of one percent public safety sales tax is on the books that only allows the city to address capital improvements to police buildings, equipment and vehicles.

“It’s funding of the salaries that we are having problems with,” said Council Member Lucy Young. “We have money (for capital improvements). We need more officers on the street.”

The police services sales tax is a new tax mechanism approved last year by state legislators. City officials said it was approved specifically for Independence and a few other municipalities around the state to address police department personnel needs.

“This is an opportunity for the citizens to use democracy to the fullest,” said Council Member Will Swoffer. “It’s an opportunity for them to speak out. I’m glad we are taking it to the citizens.”

Approval of the sales tax would also allow the city to construct a police precinct building on 39th Street near Centerpoint Medical Center. The department’s sub-station at the Independence Center would not be affected by the new precinct.

“That in itself would be very, very valuable,” Paris said of a new police precinct.

The police services sales tax would also spur a half million dollar contingency compensation fund for “dramatic investigations” such as missing persons, multiple homicides or kidnappings.