Election Issue Results

April 2025

Liberty voters approved a one-cent increase in the City’s general sales tax to support first responders. This tax is projected to provide $7.5 million for:

  • competitive salaries and benefits for our Police Officers and Firefighters  - $6 million
  • to fund a major renovation and expansion of the Liberty Police Department facility - $1.5 million annually for debt service on 20-year bonds
  • to fund future police and fire equipment purchases.

Election Results:

  • Yes: 51.96% (2,388)
  • No: 48.04% (2,208)

April 2024

Liberty voters voted No on the Parks Bond Issue, which if approved would have provided funding to build the Liberty Activity Center and renovate the Liberty Community Center.

Election Results: 

  • Yes: 22.72% (1,365)
  • No: 77.28% (4,644)

April 2023

Liberty voters voted Yes to impose an additional sales tax at a rate of 3% on all retail sales of adult use marijuana sold within the City for public safety.

Election Results

  • Yes: 78.20% (3,215)
  • No: 21.80% (896)

April 2019

In the April 2019 election, Liberty residents voted Yes to the repeal of Section 4-29 in Liberty's City Code "Keeping of pit bull dogs prohibited", removing the pit bull ban within Liberty City limits.

Election Results: 

  • Yes: 52.11% (1,615)
  • No: 47.89% (1,484)

April 2018

In the April 2018 election, Liberty voters approved a 3/8-cent Use Tax for: 

  • Replace an outdated and inadequate Animal Shelter. COMPLETED as promised in 2020. 
  • Make substantial upgrades to City Park including an inclusive playground for children of all abilities, a new expanded sprayground and new restrooms. COMPLETED as promised in 2021.
  • Improvements to the Liberty Community Center: fitness facilities, pool and addition of a family restroom. COMPLETEDas promised in 2020.
  • Make improvements throughout the Neighborhood Parks system
    • COMPLETED
  • Maintain critical city services like Public Works street maintenance, IT cybersecurity, senior citizen services and Parks & Rec services. ONGOING

Election Results: 

  • Yes: 70.13% (2,839)
  • No: 29.87% (1,209)

Collection of this tax began in July 2018.

April 2017

In the April 2017 election, Liberty voters approved a 1/2-cent Public Safety Sales Tax for:

  • Staffing and safety improvements in 2018.
    • Funding for 4 new police officers COMPLETED
    • Funding for 3 new firefighters/EMS professionals. COMPLETED 
  • Recruitment of police and firefighter/EMS staff. ONGOING
    • Provide competitive compensation to compete with area agencies in recruiting the best quality candidates. 
      • New compensation plans were approved for Fire (2022) and Police (2023). These agreements are now reviewed every 3 years. 
  • Retention of police and Fire/EMS staff. ONGOING

Election Results: 

  • Yes: 75.08% (2,347)
  • No: 24.92% (779)

Collection of this sales tax began October 2017.

November 2014

In the November 2014 election, residents voted: 

  • No on the Use Tax, which if approved would have provided funding to build, operate and maintain a new animal shelter. We will look for options to address the issues of our aging animal shelter.
  • Election Results: 
    • Yes: 41.5%
    • No: 58.5%
  • Yes on the 5 percent Transient Guest (Hotel) Tax to provide funding for marketing and promoting the City of Liberty to increase tourism and the economic benefits that brings to local businesses and the City. Specific goals outlined in education materials included:
    • Marketing and promoting Liberty (ONGOING)
    • Development and installation of way-finding signs (COMPLETED)
    • Supporting Liberty festivals and special events, such as Liberty4thFest (now Liberty Fest)  (ONGOING) 
    • Providing funding for public art to attract new visitors to Liberty. (ONGOING) 
    • Election Results: 
      • Yes: 55.04%
      • No: 44.96%
  • Yes on the 3/8-cent Economic Development Tax to fund the completion of South Liberty Parkway - providing an alternate route connecting I-35 to M-291, and improve streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and below-ground infrastructure in historic downtown Liberty. This tax will sunset in 2035.
    • South Liberty Parkway update - COMPLETED as promised (Ribbon Cutting: Oct. 18. 2018)
      • The four lane, 2.5 mile extension of South Liberty Parkway from Withers to 291 Highway includes water lines not only along Phase II roadway but also portions of Phase I and along Withers Road. Sidewalks, a bike path and elevated crossings over two railroad lines and a creek are also included in the scope of the project.  In addition,  this project also opened more than 1,000 acres of land for development.
    • Downtown Reconstruction - COMPLETED as promised (Ribbon Cutting: June 27, 2017)
      • Liberty's downtown received a much needed update in 2016-2017 thanks to a voter approved Economic Development Sales Tax. $5 million is allocated to public infrastructure within the downtown area. Highlights of the project include reconstruction of the streets, sidewalks, and utilities around the Liberty "square" area. Sidewalks are now a wider, more pedestrian friendly 14 feet in a number of sections, new landscaping and crosswalks define the intersections and even parking was upgraded.
    • Election Results: 
      • Yes: 55.94%
      • No: 44.06%

August 2013

In 2013, Liberty residents voted:

  • Yes to issue sewerage bonds in an amount not to exceed $95 million to extend and improve the City's sewerage system, including the possible construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and/or capital improvements related to the treatment of wastewater provided by Kansas City, Missouri.

    COMPLETED as promised: Grand opening celebration in April 2017. 

November 2008

In 2008, residents voted:

  • Yes to extend the 1/2-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax from January 1, 2011- Dec. 31, 2030
  • Yes to revise the 1/4 cent Transportation Sales Tax to 1/2-cent with an expiration of Dec. 31, 2030
  • Yes on General Obligation Bonds for constructing and improving streets and costs associated with other street and transportation-related improvements; acquisition of public works equipment and property.  

November 2006

In 2006, voters:

  • Voted Yes to annex "Area A", an area bordering Liberty's southern boundary.  
  • Voted No to annex "Area B," an area bordering Liberty's northern boundary.