Independence voters approve one sales tax measure and reject another.

Independence voters were asked to approve two sales tax measures on Tuesday's ballot. One of those measures passed while the other failed, both by narrow margins. Passing with 51% of the total vote, the 1% Educational Sale Tax will be replaced with a General Purpose Sales tax on October 1, 2028. However, the 1% Special Purpose Sales Tax failed by just 14 votes. That tax will remain in effect until it expires in 2032.

Both measures were meant to replace existing taxes in an effort to decrease the City's dependence on property taxes for revenue and to stabilize the property tax mill levy. Each tax was expected to generate $2.6 million to support services in the City such as infrastructure, economic development, public safety and quality of life facilities.