Lenexa officials report unofficial approval of city sales-tax renewal; council thanks staff

Becky, a Lenexa city staff member, reported unofficial results at the city council meeting showing 8,691 votes in favor and 2,257 votes opposed to the city—s sales-tax renewal, with roughly 24% voter turnout, and said the numbers will become official at the canvass on Wednesday, April 9 at 8:30 a.m.

The results matter because council members characterized the renewal as maintaining funding for city services such as parks and streets. Council member Bill said the approval demonstrated that "promises kept, in the parks and in the streets," and thanked staff and the mayor for public outreach during the renewal effort.

Becky said the 24% turnout and approval rate — about 79% in favor from the unofficial totals — align closely with the results of the city's 2023 citizen survey, which found roughly 78% of respondents supportive of an early renewal of the sales tax. She said the totals are unofficial until the formal canvass on April 9 at 8:30 a.m. and called the match between the survey and the unofficial returns "really interesting."

Council members publicly thanked staff members named in the meeting for their roles. Becky credited a team effort led by Mike Nolan and named Denise, Logan, Nick and Sean as contributors; Council member Bill specifically praised staff outreach and the mayor—s social media work. No formal votes or ordinance actions related to the renewal were recorded at the meeting.

The council did not take further action on the renewal at the meeting; city staff indicated the next administrative step is the official canvass of the vote totals.