Stand With Harrisonville’s Heroes
A Yes vote on question 1 provides much needed funding to fully staff the Harrisonville police department, gives our firefighters the tools and training they need, and helps ensure continued access to our city’s ambulance.
Funding from this proposal will be used to:
Fill 10+ vacancies in the Harrisonville police department
- The department has been operating below required staffing levels for more than a year, straining our efforts to fight crime and protect the community
Hire more firefighters and facilitate their more than 6,000 annual hours of training, maintenance of over 30 licenses, and upkeep of the equipment for safely saving lives
- Harrisonville’s fire department responds to three times the national average of calls for a city of our size
Pay for the operation of and access to our city’s ambulance
- Our ambulance currently operates on a deficit of around $1 million per year even as calls increase – without additional revenue, access to this vital service could be lost
The proposed 1.25% sales tax represents an increase of 1% from current levels and is below both the statutory maximum rate and the rate of surrounding communities. A significant portion of the expected revenue from this measure would be generated from non-residents.
FAQ
What is being proposed?
The City of Harrisonville is asking voters to consider increasing the city sales tax from 0.25% to 1.25%.
Why is the City proposing this change?
The additional revenue would be dedicated to public safety purposes, including police, fire, and emergency response services.
How much could this generate?
If approved, the increase would provide stable, local funding to support staffing, equipment, and training for Harrisonville’s first responders.
[do we have an amount?]
How would this affect residents?
- On a $100 purchase, city sales tax would rise from 25 cents to $1.25.
- This means an additional $1.00 per $100 spent inside city limits.
Who pays this tax?
Anyone who shops in Harrisonville — including visitors and people passing through — would contribute, not just local residents.
Is this the maximum the City can charge?
No. State law allows up to 2%, but the City is proposing 1.25%, which is below the maximum allowed rate.
When would this take effect?
If voters approve the measure on November 4, 2025, the new rate would go into effect the following year.
What will the funds be used for?
Funds would be used for public safety, including:
- Police and fire department staffing
- Emergency response equipment, including the city’s ambulance
- Training and safety improvements Stand With Harrisonville’s Heroes
Keep Harrisonville Moving, On Non-Residents’ Dime
Voting yes on question 2 is a vote to fund maintenance and repairs for Harrisonville’s roads. Funded in large part by visitors, lake traffic and commercial vehicles passing through our city, passage would provide stable ongoing funding for road construction, maintenance, repair and signage. This measure imposes a 1¢ per gallon motor fuel fee on gasoline and diesel fuel [for road vehicles] sold within city limits.
Benefits to Harrisonville residents include:
Dedicated roadway funding
- Proceeds from this motor fuel fee can ONLY be used for the roadway construction, maintenance, repair and signage
Improved safety for drivers
- Reduces the potential for vehicle damage and accidents & improves navigation for drivers
Commercial drivers pay their fair share
- The majority of ongoing revenue will come from commercial vehicles, reducing costs to residents
Minimal costs, lasting impact
- The small 1¢ per gallon fee is minimal to everyday drivers and adds up to a lot over time
Local control
- Funds collected benefit Harrisonville, reducing reliance on outside sources and keeping control local
In order to pass, a two-thirds majority of voters must approve this measure. Make sure to vote this November!
FAQ
What is the Motor Fuel Fee?
It is a proposed fee of one cent ($0.01) per gallon on gasoline, diesel, and blended fuels sold at gas stations in Harrisonville.
How will the money be used?
By law, all money collected from the fee can only be used for:
- Street construction and reconstruction
- Road maintenance and repairs
- Street signs and related improvements
How much could be generated?
[amount]
When will voters decide this question?
The measure will appear on the ballot at the November 4, 2025, special election.
Who pays the fee?
The fee is collected from gas stations based on the number of gallons they sell. Stations may pass this cost along at the pump.
How much is the fee?
The fee is 1 cent per gallon. For example:
- 10 gallons = 10 cents
- 15 gallons = 15 cents
- 20 gallons = 20 cents
Who will pay most of the fee?
Because Harrisonville is located along major travel routes, most of the revenue is expected to come from commercial trucks and other non-local vehicles fueling up in the city.
Why is this being proposed?
Harrisonville’s roads and streets need ongoing investment for safe and reliable travel. This fee would create a dedicated local funding source for road improvements.
Can the money be used for anything else?
No. State law requires that the funds be used exclusively for city streets and roads.
What percentage of voters must approve it?
Under the Missouri Constitution, at least a two-thirds majority of voters must vote in favor for the fee to take effect.
Revenue Bonds Save Residents Money
A yes vote on question 3 allows the city to issue revenue bonds to cover the cost of the necessary and in-progress plan to replace the city’s raw water line and related infrastructure. This is not a tax, it is a cost-saving mechanism that requires voter approval to use. Passage of this measure will save users of city water about $7 million in interest vs. not using this mechanism.
- A vote in favor of this measure allows us to use the most cost-effective borrowing mechanism to fund this necessary project, saving about $7 million.
- The failure of this measure to pass will not result in the stoppage or postponement of the project, it will result in increased costs to the city and potentially faster and larger increases to water/sewer rates in the future.
FAQ
What is this measure about?
The City of Harrisonville is asking voters to approve the issuance of revenue bonds (a type of loan) to fund major repairs and upgrades to the City’s water and sewer systems.
Will these improvements happen no matter what?
Yes. The water and sewer upgrades are necessary to maintain reliable service and protect public health. The City will move forward with the project whether the measure passes or not.
Why does it matter if the measure passes?
If voters approve the bond measure, the City can use the most cost-effective financing option. This will save about $7 million compared to other borrowing methods the City would have to use if the measure does not pass.
How will the bonds be repaid?
The bonds will be repaid only from water and sewer system revenues (the money collected from water/sewer bills). No new taxes will be levied to repay the bonds.
Will my water/sewer bills increase if this passes?
No. Rates will not increase as a result of this measure. In fact, passing the measure will help keep bills more stable over time, because it avoids higher-cost borrowing that would put more pressure on future rates.
What happens if the measure does not pass?
The City will still have to complete the repairs and upgrades, but it will have to use a more expensive form of borrowing. That would cost about $7 million more over the life of the project, which could lead to faster or larger increases in water/sewer rates in the future.
When is the election?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls will be open from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
