Kansas City, Mo – Kansas City passed Ordinance 240695 allowing Kansas City voters to decide whether to renew the public safety sales tax for 20 years. The one-quarter cent sales tax question will appear on the ballot for voters on April 8, 2025.

If renewed, the revenue from the sales tax would be used toward constructing a new municipal rehabilitation and detention center, as well as funding additional construction, operation, and maintenance needs of law enforcement and emergency medical service providers.

“Today’s vote brings us closer to a safer Kansas City. As we continue our investment in housing, health, and education, we are also a City that needs to ensure bad acts have consequences that are swift and certain,” said Mayor Lucas. “I look forward to bringing our detention and rehabilitation plan to voters, who understand that investing in both security and rehabilitation is what strengthens our entire community.”

“Residents and business owners deserve to be safe in Kansas City. To accomplish that goal, we are investing millions of dollars into long-term solutions such as alternatives to incarceration, mental health, and social services. The Detention and Rehabilitation center is one more pillar in that public safety strategy,” said Fourth District-at-Large Councilman Crispin Rea.

Passage of the ordinance is just one step in the effort to address crime and concerns regarding public safety in Kansas City. Other initiatives include:

• Plan to return booking and holding space to the 8th floor of Kansas City Police Department Headquarters to facilitate more arrests.
• Disbursed more than $70,000 in Back to Business funds to local businesses impacted by property crime, with more funds on the way.
• Hosted Community Improvement District (CID) Roundtable, bringing together more than 20 CIDs from across Kansas City to discuss public safety shortfalls and solutions.
• Proposal to the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners to support an automated camera enforcement system, which will not only reduce collisions and improve public safety but will also free up our valuable and slim officer resources, allowing them to focus on other pressing community needs. Proposal to the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners to unify KCPD and Kansas City Fire Department 911 dispatch systems.