Public Safety

Excelsior Springs City Council voted last month to shift the city’s Public Safety Sales Tax from an informal 50/50 split to 60% for fire and 40% for police, a move supporters said reflects the soaring cost of fire apparatus and critics warned would strain police operations. Beneath the percentages, city leaders agree on one point: public safety costs are rising faster than the tax meant to pay for them.

Excelsior Springs council approved fire training facility fees, Axon body/dash cams, and funding to launch the Meals & a Visit program for homebound seniors.