LEAWOOD, Kan. — Leawood voters will soon decide on an increased 5/8-cent sales tax to fund street infrastructure, stormwater improvements and public safety.
On Tuesday, the Leawood Governing Body approved sending the question to voters via a special mail-in ballot for a March 2, 2027, election.
If voters accept the measure, the 5/8-cent sales tax would take effect on Oct. 1, 2027, and last for 10 years through Sept. 30, 2037.
The city's current 1/8-cent special sales tax wasn't set to expire until June 30, 2028.
It's estimated that the current 1/8-cent sales tax generates $1.5 million annually.
If implemented, the 5/8-cent sales tax is expected to gross $7.8 million per year with potential to reach nearly $9 million by 2032.
Part of the reason the city is looking to increase the sales tax is due to the upcoming March 31, 2027, expiration of the Countywide Public Safety III sales tax, known as PS3.
Leawood says it receives about $1.5 million annually through PS3 revenue sharing, which will no longer be available.
This all comes as Leawood adopted its 2027 budget, which includes approximately $89.1 million in citywide expenditures, a 4% increase from the current budget.
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