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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. —

Independence, Missouri, is putting three general obligation bonds in front of voters on April 8.

[Click here for all election results.]

Question No. 1 focuses on public safety. Specifically, the city is asking for $130 million to acquire, construct, renovate, improve and equip public safety buildings. This includes the construction of a new justice center/jail on the site currently occupied by Independence Power & Light, along with a neighboring vacant lot. IPL would shift to the now-city-owned GEHA building along Interstate 70. Question 1 also would allow the acquisition of the animal shelter facility from the county.

Question No. 2 focuses on city infrastructure. This $55 million bond, if passed, would call for the construction and repair of specific streets, roads, bridges and culverts in the city, with several improvements aiming to ease issues around several schools, along with resurfacing and widening parts of Noland and Truman roads.

Question No. 3 asks for improvements to three historic sites and the Independence athletic complex.

What is a GO bond?

G.O. bonds are used by state and local governments, along with school districts, to raise money for projects that don’t generate revenue on their own, like roads, parks and schools. They must be put to a public vote.

They are not backed by a revenue-producing asset; instead, they are funded by the entities' ability to tax.

Under the Missouri Constitution, these bonds can stretch no longer than 20 years.

Where does the money come from?

Taxes — specifically real and personal property taxes.

City officials said for the median home value in Independence ($150,800), property taxes would be anticipated to increase by $19.57 per month if all G.O. bond capacity was approved and issued at once; however, G.O. bonds will be issued over several years, and, therefore, property owners will not see the full increase in the first year. The amount is based on the passage of all three questions.

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - An Independence man is behind bars after he allegedly attempted to run multiple people over with a stolen excavator before he spurred a chase and it was sucked into the Missouri River.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Friday, April 18, indicate that Victor E. Abel II, 40, of Independence, faces multiple charges in connection with the incident.

A probable cause statement filed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office revealed that just after 6:50 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, law enforcement officials were called to the Tri-County Water Authority at 28405 E. Blue Valley Rd. with reports of a possible hit-and-run crash.

Dispatchers told first responders that the suspect, later identified as Abel, was believed to be under the influence as he attempted to run his victims over in a Bobcat excavator. When they arrived, they learned the excavator was last seen headed east along the railroad tracks near E. Atherton Sibley and N. Blue Valley Rd.

Law enforcement officials said they spotted the excavator near the Tri-County Water Authority Facility as they realized Abel intended to drive it through a secured gate. In an attempt to stop Abel and alert workers in the area, emergency lights and sirens were activated.

Investigators noted that an employee could be seen running from the gate as Abel rammed into it with the excavator. He continued to evade law enforcement officials for about an hour before the excavator was sucked into the Missouri River. Despite this, Abel remained inside as he broke out the front glass door.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Troopers responded to the scene with a boat. Shortly after, Abel surrendered and was taken into custody. The excavator was recovered and found to have been stolen out of Sugar Creek earlier that day. Ultimately, two gates were damaged in the process, totaling $2,000.

During an interview with investigators, Abel denied that the Bobcat was stolen or that he had damaged any property. However, he did admit that he had been under the influence of methamphetamine.

As a result, Abel has been charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, two counts of property damage and driving while intoxicated. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 23 years behind bars and be forced to pay up to $50,000 in fines.

A bond review hearing has been set for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, with a preliminary hearing expected at 10:30 a.m. on May 19. As of Friday, April 25, he remains behind bars on a $30,000 bond. No further information has been released.

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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - Millions of dollars in improvements will soon be heading to Independence after voters approved two of three general obligation (GO) bond issues.

Voters approved Question 2. The bond issue will fund $55 million in improvements to roadways, bridges, and sidewalks outside seven different elementary schools in Independence, Fort Osage, and Blue Springs (within the ISD).

Two other bond issues failed.

Question 1 asked voters to approve $130 million to build a new justice center and acquire the animal shelter currently owned by Jackson County.

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Question 3 asked voters to approve $12 million for deferred maintenance on historical sites including Vale Mansion, the Bingham Wagner Estate, and the Truman Memorial Building, as well as for the Independence Athletic Complex. The question needed 57% of the yes vote to pass, which it did not.

“This is a historic moment for Independence – and we know history,” City Manager Zach Walker said. “This is the first time we’ve ever considered a general obligation bond, and this is a true victory. Make no mistake: this is a major step forward and we’re going to make the most of it.”

“We are investing in Independence,” Walker said. “This is $55 million dollars for roads, bridges, sidewalks - things that impact every Independence resident.”

If all three bond issues had passed, the city said the debt levy would be paid back through homeowner’s property taxes, an estimated $0.82 per every $100 assessed.

This is the first time Independence voters have voted on GO bonds.

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