Title
An Ordinance submitting to the electors of the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri, at the election on August 4, 2026, the question of whether the City of Lee's Summit shall impose a stormwater management sales tax of one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) for the purpose of providing funding for stormwater management and flood mitigation.
(Note: First read by Council on November 4, 2025. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
Throughout 2025, Staff has been working with the Mayor and City Council to advance a discussion on stormwater management, particularly stormwater levels of services and associated funding. The Staff and the Public Works Committee of the City Council recommended a one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) sales tax to fund the desired stormwater levels of services. The Mayor and City Council supported the Public Works Committee recommendations and directed Staff to present an ordinance calling for an election in August 2026 for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of Lee’s Summit the question that would, if voter approved, would impose a stormwater management sales tax of one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) for the purpose of providing funding for stormwater management and flood mitigation.
Key Issues:
• The City is authorized under Section 644.032 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to impose a stormwater control sales tax.
• The City has pursued several efforts, dating back to 2001, to create a funding source dedicated to stormwater management.
• The City’s comprehensive plan and strategic plans identified permanent stormwater funding as a major objective for the City to provide improved stormwater management.
• In 2025, the City Council identified stormwater management as a priority goal in alignment with the Ignite! strategic plan.
• The Public Works Committee developed recommendations for stormwater levels of service, resources, and funding.
• City Council directed Staff to prepare an ordinance for a one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) sales tax election for August 4, 2026.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an Ordinance submitting to the electors of the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri, at the election on August 4, 2026, the question of whether the City of Lee's Summit shall impose a stormwater management sales tax of one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) for the purpose of providing funding for stormwater management and flood mitigation.
Background:
The City has an extensive system of stormwater infrastructure that requires maintenance and operation. The City has a need for stormwater infrastructure project and program planning, stormwater infrastructure capital improvements, stormwater permit compliance, flood mitigation, and public education related to stormwater management. Stormwater management has been an identified issue for decades, and a recommendation described in multiple strategic plans (including Ignite!).
There is a lack of dedicated stormwater funding source to address stormwater management in the City. Unlike capital projects that can be funded by bond issues or sales tax measures with a sunset, stormwater infrastructure maintenance, operations, and management requires a permanent source of funding. Investing in stormwater management programs will save money over time. The City Council identified stormwater as a priority goal to advance in 2025.
The Public Works Committee held numerous work sessions to conclusively recommend various levels of services for stormwater, resource requirements, and a funding source. A sales tax was preferred over property tax and stormwater utility (i.e., user) fee alternatives. The City Council unanimously supported the Public Works Committee recommendations and directed Staff to present an ordinance for voter consideration of a proposed one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) Stormwater control Sales Tax in the August 2026 election. The Public Works Committee work sessions are available for reference.
Presenter
Michael Park, Director of Public Works