Transit, arts, road safety: Kansas Citians share how they want city money spent
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Saturday, dozens made their way to Gregg/Klice Community Center to share what they want to see happen with the Kansas City submitted budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
This was meeting one of the three for the public budget hearing process.
The submitted budget is around $2.5 billion.
The largest expense in the Governmental Activities budget is Public Safety.
The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is proposed to get a $24.6 million increase making the total budget $343.3 million.
The Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department would get a $45.7 million increase with a total budget of $321.5 million.
Public Safety has been a major focus of the City Council, but on Saturday, many residents shared concerns for other services and needs throughout KC.
Many spoke out about their concern for cuts to public transit and the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA). Speakers shared that they rely on the busses to get to work or around the city.
“We need our busses much more than we need to fund the police well beyond the state’s minimum,” said Ryan Dickey with Sunrise Movement Kansas City.
The proposal has the KCATA budget sitting at $71 million with only a 0.3% increase of $179,000.
“The proposed budget would lead to service cuts that would further limit where I can access a job in Kansas City. I believe our budget should reflect what works for the working people of the city,” said bus rider, Raymond Forstater with Sunrise Movement KC.
Vision Zero, the city’s effort for safer streets and zero fatalities on the roads, would get $8 million, which includes a $3 million increase.
“Funding for Vision Zero will enable small-scale interventions like crosswalks and speed humps as well as broader corridor improvements to make it safer and easier for people to roll, bike, and walk in Kansas City,” said BikeWalkKC.
Other Kansas Citians asked the Council to invest in the Westside, libraries, community centers, pools, and the arts.
“All around the world when they hear that I am from Kansas City they go wow the Jazz must be great, the music scene must be great and then I come home and we have no ,” said Creative City KC Community Advisory Board Director and Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors Vice President, Eboni Fondren.
Those with Creative City KC want to see further funding for the arts so the city can be ready to welcome the World Cup in 2026 with the Jazz music it is known for.
“I guarantee you all of those people from around the world are going to want to come to Kansas City and hear music and that is going to fall on us the artists, to do that,” said Fondren.
You can share what you want to happen with the budget at two more meetings, those are:
- Monday, February 24 6:00-8:30 p.m. The Auditorium at Woodneath Library 8900 NE Flintlock Rd, Kansas City, MO 64157
- Saturday, March 1 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Goppert Performing Arts Center at Avila University 11901 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145
You can also participate online here by creating a profile and share what you think.
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