Liberty Approves Increased Sales Tax

Mayor Bob Steinkamp said he was ecstatic with passage of a three-part sales tax referendum that would allow the city to make infrastructure improveements and provide basic services to the city.

"This shows that the community is willing to put it's money into the development of a road system and infrastruction that is conducive to the future growth, "Steinkamp said. "I think it's fantastic. Voters by an overwhelming number said they wanted to ensure Liberty's future."

Voters also agreed to raise the existing transportation quarter-cent sales tax by a quarter-cent, increasing it to a half-cent.  Both sales taxes, which needed a simple majority for passage, expire in 2030.

The mayor said revenue from the new quarter-cent sales tax would start being collected in April.  As a result of the vote, Liberty's total sales tax will go from the current 7.35 percent to 7.6 percent.