DEMAND TRANSPARENCY! SIGN THE AUDIT PETITION TODAY!
Led by Leigh Phillips, Elected Jackson County Committeewoman
I was elected to represent YOU, and that means fighting for accountability, transparency, and responsible spending in our city.
On April 8, 2025, voters delivered a clear message: NO to reckless spending and YES to prioritizing real infrastructure needs.
While Question 2 (Roads, Streets, and Bridges) passed, Questions 1 and 3—totaling over $130 million in new debt—were rejected by the voters.
But just one day earlier, at the April 7 City Council meeting, city leaders approved a new $50 million Municipal Bond—without voter approval—intended for fire department spending and furniture. That’s $50 million more in debt, passed immediately before voters said no to similar spending.
This shows what we’ve known all along: people are tired of being asked for more money without honest answers. Our citizens are demanding transparency, oversight, and common sense.
Yet city leaders continue pushing massive spending plans—even as past financial decisions remain riddled with waste, mismanagement, and poor planning. Before we approve another dollar of debt, we must demand answers.
WHY SIGN THE PETITION?
✅ Follow the Money – A full audit will show where tax dollars have been spent.
✅ Expose Waste & Mismanagement – If there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to fear.
✅ Fix Our Priorities – Our infrastructure is failing, yet reckless spending continues.
✅ Protect Taxpayers – Without oversight, our taxes could keep rising with no improvements.
✅ Restore Public Trust – If we don’t hold leaders accountable now, when will we?
A FULL AUDIT WILL:
✔️ Expose waste and mismanagement before more taxpayer money is spent.
✔️ Ensure infrastructure and city projects are properly funded.
✔️ Hold city officials accountable for spending decisions.
✔️ Identify why projects like the Kentucky Road Bridge remain unfunded.
✔️ Track past tax hikes and bonds to see where the money actually went.
✔️ Uncover unequal spending across the city. Are some areas prioritized while others are ignored?
✔️ Investigate marijuana tax revenue. Voters approved a 3% sales tax on marijuana, meant for public safety and infrastructure. Independence has collected over $800,000, yet $382,281 was allocated to a downtown redevelopment contract (The Square Redevelopment Project) with Copaken Brooks instead of public safety. Meanwhile, $0 has been spent on capital projects, debt service, equipment, or retiree healthcare. Where is the accountability?
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
-
$6.5 MILLION lost in a 2018 lawsuit due to city mismanagement—taxpayers footed the bill.
-
Kentucky Road Bridge remains closed, yet leaders claim there's “no money” for repairs. Where did it go?
-
Past tax increases promised improvements, yet key projects remain untouched.
-
Unequal spending across the city—are funds benefiting special interests instead of all residents?
-
More tax increases without accountability—we say NO MORE until we get answers!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
📢 “Our roads are falling apart, our bridges are closed, and they want more of our money? Enough is enough!”
📢 “If the city can afford costly lawsuits, why can’t they fix our infrastructure?”
📢 “No more blank checks! We need accountability before we approve more debt.”
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
✍️ SIGN THE PETITION – Your signature forces leadership to answer tough questions (must be signed in person. No online signatures can be accepted).
📣 SPREAD THE WORD – Talk to your neighbors, family, and friends.
📍 GET INVOLVED – Help us collect signatures and push for change.
🔴 Take back control of your tax dollars—sign the petition today! 🔴
For more information, contact us at Blue1.Leigh@protonmail.com and follow us on our Facebook Page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
💪 VOLUNTEER and
JOIN THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION TEAM
🚨 AUDIT INDEPENDENCE 🚨
Sign up NOW and help us collect signatures! (Coming Soon)
If you have a day and a location you'd like to announce, please email me and we'll announce for you.
WHY COLLECT SIGNATURES?
✅ Expose waste and mismanagement
✅ Hold city officials accountable
✅ Protect your tax dollars
✅ Uncover the truth about spending
We need YOU to be a part of this grassroots movement! Your presence at varied locations will make a real difference in demanding transparency and holding our leaders accountable. Independence needs bold citizens willing to take action—don't just stand by, stand up!
Your time and effort will help us get the answers our community deserves.
Copyright 2025 - AuditIndependence.com - All Rights Reserved
Paid for by Leigh Phillips