Search Press Releases

Press Release Archive

Press Releases

  |   Views: 10273

City of Lee’s Summit Places Use Tax on June 2 Ballot

On June 2, Lee’s Summit voters will have an opportunity to consider a local use tax, which would increase funding for essential City services such as street maintenance, public safety, code enforcement and parks maintenance. A use tax would be placed on goods purchased from out-of-state vendors who are currently not paying local sales tax. The use tax would be applied at the same rate as the City’s sales tax, which is 2.25 percent.

The City is forecasting a 10 percent decline in sales tax revenue for the 2021 fiscal year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, the City was already experiencing a shift in consumer preference to e-commerce. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, total e-commerce sales rose 14.9 percent in 2019 to $601.7 billion nationwide. E-commerce sales represented 11 percent of total sales throughout the nation in 2019. To keep pace with this trend, the City must modernize its revenue sources to continue to provide the essential services our residents expect. The Missouri Department of Revenue estimated a local use tax would generate $1.8 million annually for Lee’s Summit.

A local use tax would also place local businesses on equal footing with out-of-state vendors. Out-of-state vendors currently avoid local taxes, putting local businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Approval of this question will eliminate the disparity in tax rates collected by local and out-of-state sellers by imposing the same rate on all sellers.  

The local use tax would only be applied to purchases from out-of-state vendors for delivery and use in Lee’s Summit. The 2.25 percent local use tax on purchases made from out-of-state vendors would be equivalent to the 2.25 percent local sales tax applied to local purchases. Residents will never be charged a double tax on any purchases.

More than 200 Missouri cities already have a use tax approved by voters. This includes Kansas City, Grandview, Liberty, Independence, Excelsior Springs, St. Joseph and Gladstone.

Paid for by the City of Lee's Summit; William A. Baird, Mayor; 220 SE Green St., Lee's Summit, MO 64063

Print

Latest Press Releases

Electrical Fire Involving a Space Heater Damages Home
Electrical Fire Involving a Space Heater Damages Home

Electrical Fire Involving a Space Heater Damages Home

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 3:49 a.m., the Lee's Summit Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1400 Block of SW Jefferson. The occupants called 911 after waking up to a popping noise and discovered smoke and fire in the living room. When the fire department arrived, smoke was visible from the front door of a one-story, single-family residence. The occupants and dog were outside.  Firefighters entered the building and quickly...
Lee’s Summit City Hall Accepting Jackson County Tax Payments

Lee’s Summit City Hall Accepting Jackson County Tax Payments

Lee’s Summit City Hall is accepting Jackson County property, business and real estate tax bill payments. Payments can be made at Treasury, located in the lobby of City Hall, 220 SE Green St. Treasury is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 27-29. Taxpayers may also place bill payments in one of the City’s drop boxes, located in the vestibule of the north entrance to City Hall or in the alley...
Truck 3 In Service at Fire Station No. 3
Truck 3 In Service at Fire Station No. 3

Truck 3 In Service at Fire Station No. 3

The Lee’s Summit Fire Department proudly announces that Truck 3 went into service November 11 at Fire Station No. 3 as the second staffed fire apparatus in the station with Pumper 3, Med 3, and Chief 102, and is the first addition of a fire truck and crew since 2006. The ladder truck is an expansion apparatus approved through the 2019 No Tax Increase Bond Issue, along with the twelve personnel to staff it approved in the 2022 Public Safety Sales Tax initiative....
City of Lee’s Summit Launches New Alert System for Residents
City of Lee’s Summit Launches New Alert System for Residents

City of Lee’s Summit Launches New Alert System for Residents

The City of Lee’s Summit is excited to launch LS Aware, a free alert system designed to keep residents and businesses informed of emergencies and certain non-emergency events. The City can quickly send messages via phones, text, email and more, depending on the preferences set up by the user. The public is encouraged to sign up at LSaware.net LS Aware will be used to communicate emergency notifications that involve immediate or pending threats to public...
Lee’s Summit Snowplow Naming Contest Accepting Submissions
Lee’s Summit Snowplow Naming Contest Accepting Submissions

Lee’s Summit Snowplow Naming Contest Accepting Submissions

The City of Lee’s Summit Public Works Department is inviting the community to participate in its first Snowplow Naming Contest. Residents can submit their unique and creative names for the City’s snowplows online at cityofLS.net/snowplow through Nov. 7. Winning entries will be announced Nov. 20 on the City’s social media and website. The new names will be placed on the City’s snow removal equipment that is in service during the upcoming...
1345Last