[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6214069,"mediaKeyId","3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184","parentId",3671616,"title","Staff recommends studying Spire payment service after staff flag deposits and net cost issues","audioSeconds",93,"startMs",5533000,"endMs",5626000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184&start=5533&end=5626","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184/thumbnail_5533000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214069/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Staff-recommends-studying-Spire-payment-service-after-staff-flag-deposits-and-net-cost-issues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214069-537fd23d5db9dcaeb05d8f7528cf5084/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136772&Signature=by9SU31xzm1LLZdpPeAOUXuts1kDz6Mglp5cQF3HkkAcRRh-ncGoYDfyTgqqxoo6sg7qIl~dgGdw9~pb6yI716IBcJdkgoY3Ss3UMGrs6tE9gO1rUXXOf0DiziwvqNBpI2DCf2be8qO143822~9C2sQ6W57YHZPsJBT1mK8kl-iaH9CPiO~Er5uzZQ4PnF2Eb2osv3n5HmA~WPicS6sNLcx8kvsX2OyGfEPr-tz4sDE046zZscdFs0V~JauZaF5ZCyJqE1IdaViMd-id0aULAGzYZOooojL5onHXl8JIT-A3bzJ4J0~0z9sKil6~0f93MCcLQyQjsiH3NyhC14KWWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Independence, MO","date","2025-06-05T10:00:05Z","article","Staff reported to the Audit & Finance Committee that taking payments for the utility company Spire at city customer service locations is a convenience offered to residents but has produced net costs and administrative difficulties.

City staff said deposits and timing of electronic transfers have caused reconciliation issues and that, through March, the convenience service cost the city approximately $11,555 above the fee paid by Spire. Staff said the program also requires city accounting and customer‑service time to reconcile the dedicated bank account used for deposits.

Committee members asked staff to determine whether other local payment locations exist (staff reported grocery stores and convenience outlets listed by Spire) and whether Spire could revise its arrangement or increase the fee to cover city costs. Multiple members recommended giving ample notice to customers if the city discontinues the service, and one committee member urged staff to prepare a clear public explanation should a change be made.

Staff proposed that, if the city decides to discontinue collecting Spire payments, the logical timing would be when customer service moves to a new building; staff said they will research any enabling resolutions or agreements that established the service and report back. The committee asked staff to first seek options with Spire and to return with recommendations and cost details before making any final operational changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Independence Audit & Finance 6/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the committee that collecting Spire (gas) payments at city customer service locations cost the city about $11,555 through March and caused deposit timing issues; staff will explore contract terms, alternate payment locations and an appropriate transition timed with a planned office move.","taxTitle","Independence, Jackson County, Missouri","taxId",2581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214074,"City outlines risk‑management spike; managers propose broader safety program",436,3944000,4380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184&start=3944&end=4380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184/thumbnail_3944000.jpg","/articles/6214074/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/City-outlines-riskmanagement-spike-managers-propose-broader-safety-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214074-b699c1dbb51bbb4e495cbddb07351efc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136772&Signature=TQUVpX6vac41Y2WcCCe8twtrC6YNYubCbeekRKyws4LyNnRORBd3tYTwE0Lun33202enXMmCGwYpN2nxvxCcX1IhigWaD66yieMwXesBwRC929iCf-GsEHk-yxNhb~MXmwoTX2pv9p8j0hwdVMAgwif7Ak8CTsNZYYREx03mlFMkYmC86kp45z5VpB4G5fiCAWdeewa-uYvoxUIChBzM-oDUcjricz1qM--CSDvHx8idY6x-TeAF~Oq-zywVI0yzBcwf8LXGfPAesPiM106TqFAJef0zk8wVsni8o7zfubfyp5tdv4PpTHufkQqyyi1pu-zaJZLaDkIDh360YmSSyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Manager and finance staff told the Audit & Finance Committee that the city has experienced a marked increase in workers' compensation and liability costs and outlined plans to broaden risk‑management work across the organization.

City leadership said excess workers’ compensation premiums rose about 190% since February 2016 and noted a jump in liability claims between fiscal 2019 and 2020 that the city attributed to an accelerated trend across several departments. The manager contrasted those increases with smaller claim growth in the power and light utility, which has a dedicated safety coordinator, saying the difference suggests daily, embedded safety work matters.

Staff described an amendment to the proposed budget (introduced by Councilmember Fears and already adopted in the budget cycle) that would embed funding to expand risk‑management and safety coordination into a central finance function. The manager said the goal is to make safety and risk‑management a citywide mindset rather than isolated to individual departments, while maintaining utility‑specific safety functions.

The finance director described a recent Missouri Municipal League webinar and insurer feedback noting broader industry factors driving premium increases, including large industry losses in 2022–23, more frequent high jury awards in liability cases, supply‑chain and repair cost inflation for auto and property claims, and cybersecurity exposure. The director said some mitigation steps include strengthening safety policies and training, conducting and documenting infrastructure inspections and repairs, adopting stronger contract risk‑transfer language and ensuring multifactor authentication for cybersecurity protection.

Staff said consulting support will return to the council in a future meeting to review workers' compensation structure and self‑insured retention levels for certain employee groups; insurance renewals covering property, liability and workers' compensation will be brought forward for council review on the June 16 meeting agenda. The manager proposed keeping two dedicated safety coordinator positions (one in Power & Light and one in Municipal Services) while expanding centralized oversight and training.","City officials told the Audit & Finance Committee premiums for workers' compensation and other insurance have risen sharply; staff recommended expanding citywide risk‑management capacity and embedding safety functions beyond utility departments to reduce claims and insurance costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214079,"Committee backs city attorney interpretation allowing staff labor on street sales‑tax projects",396,3537000,3933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184&start=3537&end=3933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184/thumbnail_3537000.jpg","/articles/6214079/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Committee-backs-city-attorney-interpretation-allowing-staff-labor-on-street-salestax-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214079-22fcd2e1a3c0ee365a410261a6a1b833/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136772&Signature=Nd3tMYZFjolsVe2Zek0JjJI~h2K6ysuNnTIt02WWqtEKm3orDatQKo32hQ1mwEmsb-ODL8fC8IWKE4FB0pdxT2pEVgBZwrMvOMhBmZChPuQsdihj8PCb-kTAHw2oJ0BLQMOFzCoI0E1BDnjLtXbNYGQ0uwolQiIPA9JFcVzAiGOUMVVYldv0z-jOKMrED1HXIzGF1BRxiCBoFM7pvl9unqe-cBLD5nlqtLf058ufRcUYb8G3GrMK6zxJTbX2xXGbkzHft-wnqukwHHtk431Nz4dXpZwrx2OWjsajNrvzHcMTtuCowkNlrTSd~ZtEsFmXhq6T6ATTqKJaio3bEdx9ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney (legal opinion provided to the committee) told the Audit & Finance Committee that the ordinance authorizing the half‑cent transportation sales tax prohibits using more than 8% of annual revenues for operating expenses, but the term “operating expenses” is not defined in the ordinance. The attorney advised the committee that labor and materials directly used for construction, maintenance and repair of streets, sidewalks, curbs, bridges, culverts and traffic signals qualify as core transportation program functions and therefore are not “operating expenses” subject to the 8% cap.

By contrast, the city attorney said administrative salaries, office supplies and other costs tied to administering the program would be operating expenses and count toward the 8% limit. He explained the interpretation by noting that limiting on‑the‑ground crews and materials to an 8% allocation would defeat voters’ stated purpose for the tax.

Committee members discussed the advisory opinion and several members said they agreed with the city attorney’s reading. One councilmember observed the oversight committee that requested the review did not have full internal consensus and had asked for the council’s guidance. The committee chair asked whether the matter needed full council action; the city manager and city attorney advised the committee that it could resolve the question at the Audit & Finance level and forward the decision to the full council if desired.

A motion to approve the recommendation that labor and materials associated with core transportation activities not be treated as operating expenses under the ordinance was moved and seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote with all members saying “aye.” Committee members asked staff to communicate the decision back to the oversight committee and to Councilman Stewart, who serves on that oversight committee.

The committee did not adopt a written amendment to the ordinance during the meeting; the action recorded at the meeting is a committee resolution of interpretation and direction to staff to convey the committee’s view.","Audit & Finance Committee accepted the city attorney’s legal view that labor and materials directly related to street construction and maintenance are core project costs and not subject to an 8% operating‑expense cap in the transportation sales tax ordinance; the committee approved a motion to adopt that interpretation by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214085,"PFM presents conservative portfolio; committee discusses cadence for future briefings",1143,1972000,3115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184&start=1972&end=3115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184/thumbnail_1972000.jpg","/articles/6214085/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/PFM-presents-conservative-portfolio-committee-discusses-cadence-for-future-briefings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214085-114b2a6f862857b1408169d0a58e6ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136772&Signature=gV9WKcphLrX0aY5nDlUf7OYohOuoO~yJio~jdc-WFlpQd3zO9Oj3oU6MdSrKKajPzH~tr6GnmVDhEU5tis6252b9Nvr04xpQY30KCefxTYRnxx3~Py30AwGWvaM5DYBSZEAaWVaz0me7Y-ML~EuHTNcjIWwM4SQE2A-FQk4c3j9HkWaH-UXZHJ6daQq3EmrbDHkJG6~G0F1xTMN7UPmWjYp0rMLFlen-JKdlOJgW~Pa-1XRVjxwkg~10Lh7ocuIo9f6Ht~VG8W9N0XL5KBqxfgd2-yKhPLwQJiertV2fVjmirLRJpAVFC6~T6sMhfYIJcFlXDYCFJxyOUBgEE-ibNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Angie Hughes and Chris Harris of PFM Asset Management briefed the Audit & Finance Committee on the city’s investment performance through March 31, 2025, and provided a supplemental market update covering economic and policy developments through April and May 2025.

Chris Harris characterized the major market theme as heightened uncertainty from trade policy and Federal Reserve decisions. He described how effective tariff rates rose sharply earlier in spring 2025, elevated inventories distorted first‑quarter GDP components and markets were pricing in two quarter‑point cuts by the Fed later in the year. He noted the labor market remained relatively firm but warned tariffs could produce temporary price pressure as inventories run down.

Angie Hughes reviewed the city portfolio: roughly $121 million invested, about 99% rated very high quality and heavily weighted toward U.S. Treasury securities, with an effective duration around 2.1 years. Hughes said the portfolio held more cash in September 2024 than in December 2024 because prior staff had not invested some proceeds; PFM invested that cash later, which explains some timing differences in market‑value changes. She reported interest earnings of roughly $770,000 over three months and $16 million in interest since inception of the management arrangement. Total return was slightly below the benchmark at three months largely because prior cash holdings had no market‑value gains, but the portfolio outperformed the benchmark over three‑ and five‑year horizons and since inception.

Harris described commercial paper as a short, unsecured corporate instrument rated A‑1 or A‑1+ that can add roughly 15–25 basis points of incremental yield versus Treasuries. He said PFM uses a formal credit review and issuer diversification limits when including commercial paper.

Committee members asked about legal limits on municipal investments; PFM and staff confirmed state law restricts purchase of equities and riskier instruments for operating funds, which is why the portfolio emphasizes government securities. The committee discussed meeting frequency with PFM; city staff suggested annual or semiannual briefings, and some members favored semiannual or quarterly briefings given market volatility.

PFM will coordinate future presentations with staff; committee members requested a schedule that allows review after fiscal‑year close and suggested a return presentation in late winter or summer 2026 depending on the committee’s cadence decision.","PFM Asset Management presented the city’s portfolio through March 31, 2025, noting a high allocation to Treasuries, short duration and recent yield volatility tied to trade and Fed uncertainty. Committee discussed meeting cadence and the possibility of adding commercial paper for modest additional yield.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6214089,"Audit finds steady outcomes but ongoing operational gaps at Independence animal shelter",1640,121000,1761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184&start=121&end=1761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671616-9572d1ad21f82c7d9cbbcfcb68b75184/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6214089/Independence/Jackson-County/Missouri/Audit-finds-steady-outcomes-but-ongoing-operational-gaps-at-Independence-animal-shelter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214089-e973f4a7dd496b4a0d4258bc9bd5e9d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136772&Signature=VvuqH9~MU54Ev9e0iNMQgEs2pTxQmaS587kHRe0VkqJ5~oEtLPlj3vknYLPBKVkMQUhvd7FEwvO5i6JzWi47ktCVRd6YDp6L2LaQ-A5OJKkPiTf8xUo4rC2uddt5ejKkWh77HfSIPnPxl9CsvXmnFgLbmVfBzKD8rOLIvIFm4wTYk4ClZP3VSeSWJownnJ7ud~FnUtSdk-fa74nB5daE-IeNOlxokxOfolPeMbiMwUhju5ZjHbiLBGiPA0ckQoNooYks8UVIOfRQOWnm7rAhhlpuk0DLZWmWACYvV8WdkmzLy9f6JHMl4636igLfftNPheUjkXANhmUEZ8HgEJ8VkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrew Fraser, the City of Independence management analyst, presented an internal review of the city-operated animal shelter to the Audit & Finance Committee in June 2025, concluding the facility demonstrates commitment to animal welfare while still facing several operational and financial challenges.

Fraser said the review followed generally accepted government auditing standards and examined operations, data, policies and stakeholder interviews. He summarized the shelter’s mission as “to ensure the safety and well‑being of both people and animals in the community by fostering a culture of responsible pet ownership.” He said the shelter’s core services include adoptions, intake, animal control and veterinary services, and highlighted programs such as a pet food pantry, Operation Litterless and a community cat trap‑neuter‑return clinic.

The auditor told the committee the shelter occupies a facility built through an earlier city–county partnership. Ownership and management shifted over time: the county owns the building and Great Plains SPCA long operated it before withdrawing; the city now runs animal control services at the facility but still lacks a final contract with the county governing responsibilities.

Fraser said maintenance issues that existed when the city assumed operations — roof leaks, multiple nonworking hot water heaters and fire‑suppression concerns — have largely been addressed, though “there’s still at least one hot water heater that doesn’t work” and some leaks remain. He noted the city replaced the HVAC and was later reimbursed by the county.

Data presented show trends the auditor flagged for attention: intake rose in 2023, driven by strays and an increase in dumped animals; adoptions and live‑release rates have generally trended upward; foster placements surged in 2020 and show recent uptake; and volunteer hours peaked during the COVID period and declined notably in 2024. Fraser said some volunteers reported feeling “siloed” at the shelter, which contributed to the decline.

Length‑of‑stay figures drew particular scrutiny. Fraser reported average stays of about 36.2 days for dogs and 24.7 days for cats in the most recent year cited, with the shelter’s per‑animal cost estimate (using the presented day‑rate formula) running roughly to about $1,000 under one calculation. He cautioned there is no single national standard for calculating per‑animal cost and other local organizations use different methods: Midwest Animal Rescue reported an average cost near $305 with a longer internal method, and the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City reported about $410 with shorter lengths of stay.

Committee members and staff discussed strategies used elsewhere to reduce length of stay and costs, including stronger digital outreach to reunite lost animals, more active foster networks, and hiring staff focused on reuniting animals with owners. One committee member said shelters that are primarily foster‑based can report much lower on‑site length of stay because time in foster is not counted in the on‑site metric.

Fraser closed with a list of recommendations: improve volunteer integration and training, embed volunteers in decision making to reduce the sense of siloing, continue marketing and off‑site adoptions, expand feral‑cat management efforts and pursue available grant funding for TNR and other programs, monitor and manage financial sustainability by refining cost analyses and fee structures, and invest in targeted facility improvements tied to an agreed division of maintenance responsibilities with the county.

Committee members said the report showed a committed shelter staff and suggested the city’s planned animal welfare committee and potential partnerships (such as Friends‑of groups or outside assessment teams) could help implement the recommendations.","A city audit presented June 2025 finds the animal shelter meeting core mission goals — adoptions and live-release rates are steady — but notes lingering facility maintenance, volunteer declines and unclear contract status with the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff recommends studying Spire payment service after staff flag deposits and net cost issues

City outlines risk‑management spike; managers propose broader safety program

Committee backs city attorney interpretation allowing staff labor on street sales‑tax projects

PFM presents conservative portfolio; committee discusses cadence for future briefings

Audit finds steady outcomes but ongoing operational gaps at Independence animal shelter