Growing in Independence: A Message from Finance Director Vern Blaze

Growing Together

Every organization needs revenue to operate — be it sales revenue for a business, donations and grants for a nonprofit, or tax revenue for a governmental entity.  

Independence’s primary revenue source is income taxes paid on wages earned within the City.

While Independence’s income tax revenue has been relatively flat the last four years in a row, two other revenue sources have at least somewhat made up for that.

Hotel-motel lodging taxes have bounced back from their 2020 lows during COVID, and investment income reached a likely all-time record high in 2024.

The Independence Finance Office works closely with the City’s Economic Development Team to ensure the City remains competitive and a “city of choice” for businesses. 

This is the only way to ensure that Independence retains a strong and reliable revenue stream to pay the cost of delivering services, acquire capital equipment and complete infrastructure investments.

Sincerely, 

Vern Blaze, Finance Director