After the Chamber Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, several members of the board and Chamber staff had an opportunity to tour the police building and see what can only be described as deplorable working conditions that our police officers and support staff have to work in. The discussion of funding for a new justice center is circling around the proposed marijuana tax but it will require a variety of funding sources and perhaps even some creative financing such as the issuance of a general obligation bond which Independence has been reluctant to do.

The Chamber board has already endorsed the tax on recreational marijuana and the justice center is one of our legislative priorities but it will take our full support in order to make both a reality. This will be an opportunity to show our political relevance and I would ask each board member to make a special effort to connect to members of the City Council to make it clear what our priorities are and how important public safety is to a vibrant and growing business community. A lot of different ideas for use of the M-tax funds came out of the study session on Monday but it is vitally important that we work to get all the Council members on the same page as to this priority.