IndeGo Bond 2025: Making History
First General Obligation Bond in City History Goes to a
vote April 8
On December 17, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to put the first-ever City of Independence General Obligation Bond up to a vote
On April 8, 2025, residents will decide if the City should pass a $197 Million Dollar bond that would go to enhancing and improving the Queen City of the Trails
Three Bond Questions on the Ballot
Question 1 focuses on Public Safety. The City would build a new Justice Center and Purchase the Animal Shelter from Jackson County.
Question 2 focuses on Infrastructure. The City would fix 13 bridges, repair roads, and build or repair sidewalks around seven elementary schools in the Independence and Fort Osage School Districts.
Question 3 focuses on three Historic Sites - the Vaile Mansion, the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, and the Truman Memorial Building - and the Independence Athletic Complex.
For more details on the G.O. Bond, click below: independencemo.gov/IndeGOBond2025
The difference between historic and old
The water tower never provided the City with water; it was used by a flour mill more than half a century ago. It stands on what is now City property, behind the Chicago & Alton Depot and the Missouri Model Railroad Museum.
It is severely decayed with decades of rust. Pieces continue to fall off it, making it a hazard. With inflation, the estimate for taxpayers to fix it would be close to half of a million dollars to repair it.
The week of January 6th, the City of Independence will demolish it.
It is old and dangerous. It will be safely dismantled by experts, and the City asks residents to stay away from the tower before and during the demolition process.
Snippets from City Hall
Construction Coming to Historic Independence Square
The Square Streetscape project begins this winter and includes sidewalk and lighting improvements, landscaping, and bicycle and pedestrian amenities.
Businesses and citizens will be notified prior to the project's start date, which is heavily weatherdependent
IRIS comes to Independence
Beginning Jan. 1, Independence will implement the IRIS rideshare, replacing most bus route lines in the city.
IRIS will include more than 800 stops within the Independence City Limits, compared to the fewer than 250 currently serviced by bus routes.
Busses will still run the 24 Route into Kansas City and RideKC Freedom paratransit is still available for residents
How should the City of Independence spend our dollars?
More workforce development or business growth for a stronger economy?
More public safety programs or more focus on health and safety actions like suicide prevention?
We want to know what's important to you when it comes to City spending
Work for the City of Independence
Do you want 13 paid holidays off - including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - next year?
The City of Independence has more than 30 job openings right now.
Opportunities include engineering supervisor, farmer's market programmer, street maintenance, and so much more.
Click here for the list of job openings - and click here for the benefits that come with being a City of Independence employee.
Animal Shelter at Capacity - Again.
Usually, things slow down at the Animal Shelter in the winter months That's not happening yet
If you are interested in adopting, please view all available animals (updated daily!) and make an appointment by calling 816-325-7207 (ext. 2).
If you are a pet owner, please microchip your pet, and keep the contact information up to date. If your pet is not already microchipped, call 816-325-7207 to schedule a $15 microchip appointment.
The shelter also has resources for pet owners, including a pet food pantry. More information can be found on the City website here.
Welcome Home, Quincy.
An innovative program with the City of Independence and Community Services League, with the help of Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, brought Quincy a chance to have his own Home for the Holidays
Watch his story here
The award-winning Independence TOGETHER program helps residents get employed quickly, get paid daily, and find stable housing - while at the same time beautifying the City of Independence Click on the above link to learn more
Upcoming City Council Meetings
The Independence City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month and has work sessions the second (and sometimes fourth) Monday of the month. All meetings are in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 111 E. Maple Ave. More information on City Council can be found on the City website here.
Agendas are posted on the city's website. Meetings are streamed on the city's YouTube Channel and on City7 for Xfinity/Comcast cable subscribers.
District 2 Council Member Brice Stewart
District 3 Council Member Heather Wiley
City Council Member-At-Large Jared Fears
Mayor Rory Rowland
District 1 Council Member John Perkins
City Council Member-At-Large Bridget McCandless
District 4 Council Member Jennie Vaught
Independence City Council and Mayor, from L- R:
Please note: most City offices will be closed Wednesday January 1, in observance of New Year's Day.
Be safe, Independence.
For more information, please contact communications@indepmo org
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