The first Independence Today of 2025
City crews respond to historic snowfall
The National Weather Service reported more than 10 inches of snow fell in Independence over the weekend - and frigid, single-digit temperatures that followed complicated clean-up efforts.
City crews worked thousands of hours to clear the roads, fix damage by winter weather, and keep people safe. Click here to see more on Facebook.
City Resources during Winter Weather:
City website, updated throughout the storm
City Snow Removal page
City of Independence Facebook page
Independence Power and Light Facebook page
Weather forces some utility bill estimates
Due to weather conditions, the City of Independence will estimate water and electricity utility bills for some customers for the month of January.
All meters are read by a person every month, and the current 10 inches of snow prevent our meter readers from accessing the meters.
More details, including how to tell if your bill is estimated, can be found here on our website.
The City of Independence utilities - both water and electricity - do not currently use Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which allows meters to be read automatically each month.
AMI will be discussed in Monday night's City Council Study Session, which will be streamed on our YouTube Channel
Water tower demolition delayed
In what should come as a surprise to no one, the demolition of the abandoned water tower at 318 W. Pacific Avenue is delayed, due to weather.
The water tower never provided the City with water; it was used by a flour mill more than half a century ago. The tower stands on what is now City property, behind the Chicago & Alton Depot and the Missouri Model Railroad Museum.
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.
City social media pages will be updated when the demolition date is set.
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
IRIS is in Independence!
Independence implemented IRIS rideshare, replacing most bus route lines in the city.
IRIS has more than 800 stops within the Independence City Limits Three of those stops are free transfer points
Busses still run the 24 Route into Kansas City and RideKC Freedom paratransit is still available for residents
More details can be found here: independencemo.gov/IndependenceIRIS
any variety of animals available for adoption.
Meet Chewbacca. This guinea pig is currently in a foster home.
The shelter also has resources for pet owners, including a pet food pantry. More information can be found on the City website here.
The Independence Animal Shelter is open Tuesday - Saturday
Animals Available at Shelter
Prince, pictured here, has been at the Independence Animal Shelter since May.
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.
Tell Us How You Really Feel
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.
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 Monday January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
For more information, please contact communications@indepmo.org
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111E MapleStreet | Independence, MO 64050US
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