On April 8, 2025, Liberty voters approved a one-cent increase in the City’s general sales tax to support first responders. Thanks to Liberty voters, this tax is estimated to provide $7.5 million for:
- competitive salaries and benefits for our Police Officers and Firefighters - $6 million
- to fund a major renovation and expansion of the Liberty Police Department facility - $1.5 million annually for debt service on 20 year bonds
- to fund future police and fire equipment purchases.
Liberty City Hall was built in 1981 and included 10,985 square-feet for the Liberty Police Department. Last year, a citizen committee, with representatives from each ward and an at-large member, worked with the Liberty Police and Public Works Departments, architecture firm Hoefer Welker, and an independent moderator to conduct an extensive evaluation of the building’s current infrastructure.
The committee toured the current facility, spoke with other Liberty residents, Liberty Police Officers, and City staff to identify what space the Police Department would need to best serve the community now and into the future.
Priorities for both the committee and Police staff include:
- Modern facilities our Police Officers need to fight crime and serve our community.
- Improved security for the public and staff.
- A dedicated, flexible conference space that can be used for training, department-wide meetings, and public events.
- Secure space for evidence collection and storage.
- Safe and confidential spaces for victims reporting crimes.
Based on the recommendations of the citizen committee, the Liberty City Council unanimously voted at the January 27 Regular Session meeting to place a 1 percent cent general sales tax dedicated to Public Safety, on the April 8, 2025 ballot.
Thanks to voter approval, revenue from this one-cent general sales tax will be used to:
- Help recruit and retain quality Police Officers and Firefighters in a challenging job market with competitive salaries and benefits.
- Provide Liberty Police Department with a 30,000 square-foot, first-class, modern police station as an expansion of City Hall.
- Provide continued funding for Police and Fire equipment needs.
How will the question appear on the ballot?
The question asks voters to consider a 1-cent sales tax to be dedicated to public. The question will appear on the ballot as:
Shall the City of Liberty, Missouri be authorized to increase its general sales tax by one percent for the purpose of providing funds for funding costs of public safety, including the construction of a police facility?
Yes No