The Board of Aldermen held a first reading July 21 of an ordinance that would add a one‑cent-per-gallon motor fuel fee on retail gasoline sales in Harrisonville and submit the proposal to voters on Nov. 4, 2025.

City Administrator Brad Ratliff said the fee is intended to fund the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, repair and signing of local roads and streets. He told aldermen the city’s retail gasoline sales are disproportionately purchased by nonresidents and said the city receives state-distributed gasoline sales tax based on population, not point-of-sale volume.

“Additionally, 96% of the people buying gasoline in Harrisonville don't live in Harrisonville,” Ratliff said during the presentation, and the city would retain the proposed penny-at-point-of-sale if voters approve it. Ratliff warned aldermen that the motor fuel fee requires a 67.7% voter approval threshold and described the ballot measure as a heavier lift than a simple-majority sales-tax question.

The measures’ ordinance text states the fee proceeds would be used for streets and roads; Ratliff noted state law and the Missouri Constitution govern the fee and distribution. Peculiar was cited as the only nearby Cass County city that currently imposes a motor fuel fee; Ratliff said Peculiar’s fee has passed historically with margins in the 60% range but that the 67.7% threshold is difficult to reach.

No public comment was offered at the meeting. The ordinance will return for a second reading at the Aug. 4 Board meeting.