Lee’s Summit, Missouri, voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to approve a permanent one-quarter-cent sales tax to fund stormwater infrastructure improvements and maintenance, a measure city officials say would generate approximately $6 million annually.

According to the city, the dedicated funding would significantly expand its stormwater program, which currently operates on an annual budget of about $800,000. Existing resources support a single maintenance crew using rented equipment, leaving the city largely limited to responding to flooding, sinkholes, blocked pipes and regulatory compliance issues rather than conducting preventative maintenance.

If approved, the tax would allow the city to hire two additional stormwater maintenance crews, purchase equipment and add engineering and support staff. Officials said the increased funding would also support routine system inspections, proactive maintenance, long-term planning and public education efforts aimed at reducing future flooding and infrastructure failures.

City officials report receiving an average of 500 stormwater-related service requests and work orders each year, outpacing the department's current capacity. Public Works Director Michael Park said limited staffing has resulted in extended delays for some repairs, with certain sinkhole projects taking years to address.

If voters approve the measure, collections would begin in January. City leaders say a dedicated funding source would help address aging stormwater infrastructure and shift the program from reactive repairs to long-term system management and resilience.