Wyandotte residents meet with elected officials to discuss local changes
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Voters in Wyandotte County got a rare opportunity to speak directly with elected officials during a public meeting hosted by the Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County at the South Branch Library in KCK. The focus? Understanding how local government works—and how residents can drive meaningful change at the community level.
Real Issues
Longtime residents like Erik Murray, a self-described “native Dot,” showed up eager to engage.
“I love Wyandotte County – it’s good to be here talking about the real issues affecting our county,” Murray said.
Community gathered to learn what kinds of authority local leaders have when it comes to economic development, zoning, and infrastructure – especially as they weigh their votes for the November elections.
State Laws Limit Local Power
Wyandotte Unified Government Commissioner Melissa Byrum explained that while local leaders are the face of many policy decisions, their hands are often tied.
“So much of what we do, especially in a planning and zoning matter, is actually governed by a state law,” Byrum said.
KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner has made trips to Topeka advocating on behalf of Wyandotte – aiming to find ways to help reduce the burden of rising property taxes.
“For a lot of our residents here in Kansas, it is a burden,” Garner said. “So bringing about responsible property tax and BPU pilot relief is something I’m going to continue to advocate for.”
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A Budget Under Pressure
Mayor Garner also addressed the county’s challenging financial landscape, noting that budget cuts alone won’t solve systemic fiscal problems.
“We can cut and cut down to the bone when you talk about cutting out the fat,” he said. “At the end of the day, we have to bring in more revenue.”
Federal Help for Local Infrastructure
Federal dollars could be an avenue for relief. Commissioner Byrum shared details about a recent trip to Washington, D.C., where Wyandotte leaders lobbied for funding to repair and reopen aging infrastructure.
“We did make those requests,” Byrum said. “But I think our everyday, tax-paying, bridge-using residents need to make sure their elected officials are aware how desperately these closed bridges are hurting our community.”
Looking Ahead to the Ballot Box
As the event wrapped up, voters like Erik Murray said they left with a better understanding of what’s at stake – and what questions to ask candidates who are seeking his vote.
“We need to make our voice heard, and we need to go vote,” Murray said. “Everybody knows the presidential election and whatnot, but the local elections that are coming up this November matter just as much, if not more, in the lives of everyday citizens.”
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