Independence proposes new Community and Emergency Services department, funds homeless outreach coordinator from marijuana tax

The Independence City Council considered a proposal to reorganize the city manager’s office to create a new Department of Community and Emergency Services and to add a homeless outreach coordinator as part of the FY2025–26 budget.

Deputy City Manager Lisa Reynolds, deputy city manager and municipal services director, described the reorganization as “a first time to have a mechanism to address issues like homelessness more head on,” and said the change would combine emergency preparedness with outreach work and a new volunteer‑facilitation program.

The budget materials show one personnel addition for a homeless outreach coordinator and the presentation identified nondepartmental budget packets that support related programs. Reynolds said the manager’s office would house the FTE, but later staff…