Residents debate proposed 1% sales tax for police and fire during Liberty council meeting

Residents and council members sparred over a proposed 1% sales tax during the Feb. 24 Liberty City Council meeting, focusing on whether the levy should be permanent and how public safety salaries have been funded in recent years.

Several citizens said the tax as presented is too open‑ended and regressive; other speakers and city officials said the revenue is necessary to avoid a large budget shortfall in public safety payroll.

"One time revenues shall only be used for one time projects," citizen Carrie Lonsdale told the council after reviewing the budget. She said she believed federal COVID funds were used last year for police salaries and described that practice as inconsistent with the stated city revenue policy that one‑time funds should not be used for ongoing payroll.

Mayor Greg Knutson responded that the city’s use of COVID funds complied with state and federal law and that the funds were used so officials would not have to seek a tax increase earlier. "Everything that has been done with COVID monies was absolutely permissible under federal law and state law," Knutson said. He also said the council has used fund balance this year to manage the budget.

Roy Werner, a resident who presented a two‑page comparison of local sales tax rates and population numbers, objected to raising the city’s sales tax by a full percentage point. He said Liberty’s combined sales tax rate already compares unfavorably to nearby cities and argued the city needs more affordable housing to grow its population rather than a higher sales tax.

Dwayne Holdsclaw, a longtime meeting attendee, urged the council to end one pending lawsuit that he said was costing the city roughly $200,000. Holdsclaw said litigation costs were inappropriate if the city needs money for public safety.

Other speakers urged support for firefighters and police on budgetary grounds. One city official described the proposed public safety package as including roughly $6 million for firefighter and police salaries and benefits and an additional $1.5 million for police facility renovations; the official said without the tax there would be a $6 million hole in the budget next January.

A range of council members and staff emphasized market pressures on public safety compensation, saying that the council must keep pay competitive to retain personnel in the Kansas City region. A staff speaker described the situation as a market decision rather than a purely local policy choice.

The council reminded residents that informational events were scheduled: a Chamber of Commerce forum on March 4 will allow public questions, and the city is offering tours of the Liberty Police Department in March. The council did not take a final vote on the tax at the Feb. 24 meeting; the measure was presented and discussed in public comment and council remarks ahead of a potential April 8 election.