City of Independence, Missouri

Roughly 20% of businesses fail in their first two years. The City of Independence found a way to counter that with Danielle DuPree-Crawford and the Ennovation Center. Starting a business in Independence has been a sweet success story for to Pickens on Independence Square for a sweet taste of success. And Independence is open for business! If you're ready to start - or grow - your business, we're ready for you.

Visionary and innovative finance professionals with at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in government finance and employee management should apply to become the City of Independence, Missouri's next Finance Director! Applications are being accepted now through 10/13/24. The salary range for this position is $125,257 to $187,885, DOE/DOQ. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, accounting, or a related field. Apply now: https://zurl.co/yNHG #IndependenceMO #FinanceJobs #LocalGovernmentJobs #MissouriJobs #FinanceDirector #Hiring Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) ELGL: Engaging Local Government Leaders AICPA

Parks, Recreation, and Tourism employees saw a need to address loneliness post-pandemic in the community, and responded with an opening move: Pick Up Chess. It's gaining ground with all ages, from elementary students to retirees. Residents who work asked for weekend hours. Our George Owens Nature Center enthusiastically responded, now offering residents a chance to a friendly game on Thursday afternoons and once a month on Saturdays. It's just another way the City of Independence is serving its residents - one of whom could be the next Grandmaster. https://lnkd.in/gy_GfNkd

The City of Independence produced this video in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week. After four fatal fires in our city this year - two of them involving children - Chief Jimmy Walker increased fire prevention community outreach and education efforts. This is the second City video to address the issue, specifically geared toward our city's children. The city's health and emergency preparedness departments are utilizing this in their classroom curriculums now. It is our sincere hope that other municipalities, schools, and community groups use this video to prevent fires and the devastation that comes with it. Please share as needed; the video can also be downloaded from our YouTube page: https://lnkd.in/gxuFsgve

A week ago, two city leaders were recognized as Eastern Jackson County's Women of Distinction. Assistant City Manager Lisa Reynolds and Planning Commission Chair Laurie Dean Wiley were among the 20 remarkable women honored during the September 26th ceremony. The City of Independence is grateful for the time, talent, leadership, and dedication Lisa and Laurie passionately provide. They, along with so many others, make our community better every day.

The City of Independence received two awards last week for its Independence T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. initiative from the Missouri Municipal League! The city was awarded the Innovation Award for a Metro City with a population greater than 30,000, and the Member Choice Award. Independence T.O.G.E.T.H.E.R. (Together Opportunities Grow Everyone To Help Empower Resiliency) is a partnership between the city of Independence and Community Services League (CSL). Through the program, participants obtain employment as a crew member reducing roadside litter along main streets in Independence and receive coaching to help move toward permanent housing. Read more about the program and recognition here: https://lnkd.in/gBi_uEu5 Individuals in photo (left to right): Jeff Benson (CSL board president), Doug Cowan (CSL president/CEO), Mark Graber (CSL COO), Don McLaughlin (CSL Noland Road Warehouse Supervisor), Zach Walker (Independence City Manager) Jared Fears (Independence City Councilmember), Lindsey Gallman (City of Independence Paralegal)

After nearly three decades of making a difference in the Independence Police Department and our community, Deputy Chief Michelle Sumstad received the?2024 Susan Paxton Block Award for Distinguished Public Service. "She has earned many commendations during her distinguished career in law enforcement and has been a visible, engaged, and dedicated presence in the community," said Independence City Manager Zach Walker. "But more than awards, it is her commitment to serving others that exemplifies the spirit of this award." Sumstad's list of professional accomplishments with IPD is long and includes serving as Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer, Detective with Street Crimes, and Task Force Officer with the U.S. Marshals Service. She also became the first female to serve in the IPD Command staff when she was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2023. Sumstad has more than 100 letters of recognition and commendation including Lifesaving Awards, Meritorious Service Awards, and Exemplary Service Awards. The Deputy Chief is also a leader in the community serving on the executive boards of both the Deron Cherry Foundation and the Independence Fraternal Order of Police, and taking active roles in the Independence Police Foundation, the Independence Police Honor Guard, Community Services League, Independence Rotary Club and Midwest Animal Res-Q. Independence Mayor Rory Rowland called it an honor to present this year's Susan Paxton Block Award to Sumstad. He said, "She is a friend to all who know her, a pillar in the Independence community, and an example of the very best of Independence public service." The Susan Paxton Block Award is presented annually to a City employee, volunteer, or elected official who has demonstrated outstanding public service, valor, and job performance with leadership.?

Congratulations to our very own Assistant City Manager Lisa Reynolds! Reynolds is recognized as one of this year's 9th Annual Women of Distinction Honorees by The Examiner. ? With a long career in service and leadership, Reynolds has made a remarkable impact on our community. Her dedication to public service and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the City of Independence are just a couple of reasons why she exemplifies this honor. ? Reynolds has worked for municipalities for two decades of her career and served the City of Independence, her hometown, for almost half of them. She is the second female to hold the title of Assistant City Manager in the City's nearly 200-year-old history. ? #WomenofDistinction #Womeninleadership

The Independence Fire Department is celebrating one month with its recruits! Recruit Class 2024-2 includes 12 recruit firefighters and one Fire Inspector/Plan Reviewer and they will soon start their 90-day evaluation process in the field. Over the next few months, these recruits will be trained in all the required fire skills needed to serve the City of Independence. We wish them good luck!

The City of Independence is taking a proactive approach with our Alternative Resource for Community Health (ARCH) team which serves as a vital resource for the city's most vulnerable residents, addressing their mental health needs. This team pairs specially trained Independence Fire Department Community Paramedics and two licensed social workers to respond to calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis with the goal of diverting these individuals from hospitalizations and arrests and connecting them with the appropriate services. So far, ARCH has saved paramedic response $379,000, responded to 1,200 non-emergency calls, and provided 316 transports since it was launched in March of 2023. KCTV/KSMO/tv Ryan Hennessy shared our story about the city's first specialized unit working to create a safer, healthier, and more compassionate Independence.