Liberty unveils $20 million police headquarters plan and proposes 1% sales tax for April ballot

Liberty officials and architects presented a 50% schematic design for a new police headquarters and said they plan to place a 1% general sales tax on the April 8 ballot to help pay for the work. The proposed project would expand the current police facility to about 32,000 square feet, including roughly a 22,000-square-foot addition, with an estimated total project cost of about $19,957,000.

The plan matters because it links a capital project with recurring public-safety funding needs. The administration told the council that the sales tax is expected to generate about $7.5 million annually; the city would issue approximately $20 million in special-obligation bonds to finance construction, with annual debt service estimated at about $1.5 million over 20 years. City staff said part of the sales-tax proceeds would be used for salary adjustments in police and fire if voters approve the measure.

Nick Lawler, associate principal at April Welker, described the work that produced the schematic design. Lawler said the team conducted a three-day design charrette, toured similar facilities and met with a study group and city staff to produce a concept that responds to current operations and future growth. "We started about three, four months ago... and over that three-day period, we were able to come up with a floor plan, two floors, site plan," Lawler said.

Jackie Murtha, a member of the Liberty Police Headquarters Community Group, summarized the volunteer group's findings and priorities. "The current police facility configuration and size is no longer sufficient or in proper condition to properly meet the current or future needs of Liberty's police force," Murtha said. The community group's recommendations, which they asked the council to move forward, emphasize improved functionality, a secure and obvious public entrance, modular floor plans to support training and investigations, secure evidence handling and an outdoor civic plaza.

Chief Martin, Liberty police chief, told the council the department needs a modern facility but is not seeking extravagance. "We are woefully behind when it comes to just a modern facility and modern space for us to do modern police work," he said, adding that the schematic includes staff-focused features such as a private outdoor space and expanded locker and training areas.

Key numbers and features presented to the council: the existing facility footprint is stated as a little less than 11,000 square feet; the recommended total program is about 32,000 square feet (an addition of roughly 22,000 square feet). The construction (hard) cost shown in the packet was $16,600,000; including soft costs (furnishings, permitting, moving and related items) the architect reported a project total of $19,957,000. The schematic also included a 100-kilowatt rooftop solar system the team estimated would meet roughly 30–40% of building power and have a seven- to ten-year payback under current federal incentives.

On financing, staff described a multi-part plan: (1) place a 1% general sales tax on the April 8 ballot estimated to raise $7.5 million annually; (2) issue $20 million in special-obligation bonds for construction and renovation; and (3) use a portion of annual sales-tax proceeds for ongoing public-safety salary and operating needs. City staff said current public-safety spending has outpaced revenue in the dedicated public-safety sales-tax fund and that the city has bridged recent shortfalls with ARPA funds and fund balance. The administration framed the new sales tax as a way to cover anticipated salary commitments and to reduce pressure on the general fund.

Council members and department leaders also discussed staffing and recruitment. The police chief described ongoing recruitment challenges, noting several open positions, officers in training and the time it takes for a new hire to complete academy and field training. He said better pay and a modern facility could help recruitment and retention. Fire and police leaders confirmed that some salaries and staffing levels funded by the 2018 public-safety sales tax have lasted longer than originally intended and that the new tax is intended to address both capital and recurring personnel costs.

The council heard scheduling and next-step timelines from the architect and staff: the study group recommended a public open house on February 3; the consultant projected a return to full design services from roughly May through October, permitting and bidding in late fall and potential construction start in late that year or early the next year. Lawler noted the design-level estimate included escalation and contingency allowances because the package is at about 50% schematic design.

No formal council action or vote occurred during the study session; staff characterized the materials as a recommended funding and design path that will require formal approval steps, voter approval for the sales tax and bond issuance. The council requested an executive summary and indicated it would place funding language on an upcoming Monday agenda for further consideration.

The meeting closed with council members urging broader public outreach, an open house and continued review of project details before any final approvals.