Jackson County leaders struggle to agree on issuing $70M in COVID funds as deadline nears
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Wednesday, five seats sat empty at the Jackson County Legislature meeting. Leaders are struggling to agree on issuing $70.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from 2021 and the deadline is approaching.
On Monday, some legislators tried to override Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.’s veto but failed.
White said his veto was due to a lack of collaboration, transparency, accountability, financial risk, and expansion of Legislative budget control.
On Tuesday night, Legislators Manny Abarca, Sean Smith, Venessa Huskey, Donna Peyton, and DaRon McGee, sent a letter to Chairwoman Jeanie Lauer stating they would not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
In the letter, the legislators said there needs to be a consensus between the legislature and said that hasn’t happened.
They said they want real solutions and compromise to happen.
“You get here because there is no compromise and I think when you don’t compromise you find yourself in this situation, but I’ve compromised,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.
“We are now in a feud and a stalemate and fighting over how much we should be giving to the community. A majority if not all should be going to the community,” said Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca. He added, “I think it was the unwillingness for compromise to actually come from the four that stood up there and said oh we are compromising. The chair all but said I’m telling you what we are going to give you and if you don’t like it then oh well.”
Abarca said they have come up with other plans, mentioning the legislation recently vetoed by County Executive White.
“I think we have offered a compromise in our own legislation we expanded the base of $70 million to $100 million by adding $30 million from the general fund, our savings account. We did that because we said alright look if you say we need to spend them on the courthouse steps, the first floor renovations, and all the other things that are important then let’s share the cost,” said Legislator Abarca.
However, County Executive White said it is their responsibility to take care of the courthouse tenants.
“Just do what is in the best interest of our taxpayers use the money in the best interest of the county. All of these programs are important I think they all do good work, but as County Executive, I have to also consider the infrastructure of the county, and right now those dollars would go a long way to solving some of our critical needs,” said County Executive White. He added, “I would have issues going to the public trying to pass a bond for certain infrastructure when we already have the money to get it done and still be able to service a lot of those programs.”
Here is what is most recently proposed by Jackson County Legislator Jalen Anderson:
- County Infrastructure Investments: $38.5 million
- Community Investments: $31.9 million
The County Infrastructure Investments would include:
- New front steps at the Jackson County Courthouse
- ADA, safety, and security Improvements
- Jury room relocation
- Ground floor safety and operational improvements
- Generator Replacement and Relocation
- University Health, Lakewood demolition and stabilization
- 1300 Washington renovation and flex space
Community investments include:
- Senior Home Repair Program
- Utility Assistance Program
- Food Insecurity Program
- Community Non-Profit and Governmental Facility Improvements
- Affordable Housing Initiatives
- County Parks and Unincorporated Park Properties
- Public Health Department Resources
- Behavioral Health Programming
- Broadband Access
“I have no problem with creating buckets for organizations to come and apply for monies but the challenge is we also must take care of our own needs at the county,” said Jackson County 1st District At-Large Legislator, Jalen Anderson.
Many in the community are frustrated too and it’s left many cities and organizations left waiting to see what will happen.
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In September, Mayor Quinton Lucas sent a letter to County Executive White requesting the ARPA funds for the City.
He asked for consideration for the projects below:
- The Preservation and Redevelopment of the Historic Parade Park Homes Neighborhood ($20 million)
- Reconnecting Downtown Through South Loop Highway Lid Park ($10 million)
- Swope Health Village: Where Housing Meets Healthcare ($9 million)
- Low Barrier Shelter ($7.1 million)
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Mayor Lucas sent KCTV5 a statement regarding the funding:
“We appreciate our relationship with our partners in Jackson County and look forward to the disbursement of ARPA funds to support important county priorities.”
The Independence City Manager sent a letter in June to Legislator Anderson to request ARPA funds for city resources.
In the letter is stated, “Please note that these requests are identical to those submitted to and approved by the Jackson County Legislature last fall prior to being vetoed by the County Executive. We believe these projects address a diverse range of community needs and align with goals that were previously established by the Legislature.”
In that list, Independence requested funds for:
- Regional Animal Shelter Debt Service/Acquisition: $5 million
- RD Mize Bridge Over Little Blue Trace Trail: $900,000
- Regional Animal Shelter Repairs: $100,000
- Alternative Response for Community Health (ARCH) Van Acquisition: $70,000
- Palmer Senior Adult Facility Programming: $40,000
Our City has sought ARPA funding from Jackson County for several issues: our animal shelter, our senior adult services, public health, and several infrastructure projects.
The largest cost is more than $5 million for the Animal Shelter Facility. Not having complete control over a facility we operate 365 days a year limits our ability to provide the proper long-term care for our animals and limits our ability to make long-term plans. The City also asked for funds to alleviate the strain on our first responders with an innovative mental health response team - and the County chose to direct funding elsewhere.
It is very disappointing that none of these are on the list. All these programs have a direct impact on the quality of life for our citizens - who are also Jackson County residents.
Many nonprofits also requested funds back in 2023. Mattie Rhodes Center is one of the many who got approved.
“We are just waiting for the legislature and the executive to introduce funding availability issue some sort of call for proposals and we will be ready,” said Mattie Rhodes Center CEO and President John Fierro.
He said they never got the over $2 million they were originally approved for and they hope an agreement can come soon.
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“Really have as the end result benefiting the community I think if they do that, that would be very beneficial for the constituents that we represent here in Jackson County,” said Fierro.
Another nonprofit looking to receive funds is reStart, which helps people facing homelessness.
They shared in a statement to KCTV5 on Wednesday:
Thousands of Jackson County residents are facing urgent needs, and they have been waiting for nearly a year for critical funding to be distributed to projects and organizations that can address those needs. Over the past year, these needs have grown and evolved. For the first time in 25 years of doing this work, I find myself without answers for those seeking help. Increasing numbers of people are living on the streets or in their cars. The ARPA funding was earmarked to support essential projects for shelter, housing, food, and rental or utility assistance—basic necessities for our community. We strongly urge the County to reach an agreement and allocate these funds to meet the pressing needs of Jackson County residents.
A decision needs to be made by December 31 and legislators on both sides fear the deal won’t be done in time.
“By December 31st we must be in contracts which means we actually have a lot more work to do beyond identifying the priorities of which they are suggesting oh there wasn’t a transparent process we must go through procurement we’ve been told procurement is 45 days in this building we are running out of literal time,” said Legislator Abarca. He added, “If we don’t have this money appropriated by December 1st it is done there is nothing else we can do.”
“The frustration and the challenge at the end of the day is we’ve got $70 million 400,000 to spend. The previous legislature we spent $146 million in less than two years and all of sudden we are going to hold up this $70 million because let’s be honest it is not just about 1300 Washington it is about the overpromise made to the community leaders to say we will give you millions of dollars,” said Legislator Anderson. He added, “I would say the money going back is very likely but several of my colleagues and I will not give up until the very last moment.”
County Executive White feels they can get something finished.
“I feel confident that we can come to some sort of agreement I just think what we have to do now is just get the five legislators who are opposed to what we are trying to do on board and at least get one of them to say this is a good deal and let’s move forward,” said County Executive White.
Legislator Anderson said if the money were to be lost, this could create problems in the future for Jackson County to get federal funding.
The legislature is scheduled for its next meeting on December 2, but a meeting could happen at any time if called, Legislator Abarca said he plans to do that.
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